Senate passes joint resolution urging Congress for Keep 9 Amendment to Constitution

The 2022 General Legislative Session in Utah commenced on January 24, 2022, with a focus on several key legislative items. The session began with the passage of Senate Bill 96, which received overwhelming support with 27 votes in favor and none against, while two members were absent. This bill's approval marked a significant step forward in the legislative agenda.

Following this, the Senate addressed Senate Joint Resolution 2, which urges Congress to propose the "Keep 9" amendment to the United States Constitution. Senator Wilson introduced the resolution, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an independent Supreme Court composed of nine justices. He argued that this structure has been effective for over 150 years and is crucial for protecting constitutional rights and freedoms.

Senator Wilson highlighted recent attempts in Congress to expand the Supreme Court from nine to thirteen justices, which he described as a partisan move that threatens the integrity of the judiciary. He referenced the support for keeping the number of justices at nine, noting that public opinion favors this stance by a margin of three to one. The resolution aims to pressure Congress to consider this amendment and rally grassroots support across the nation, as similar resolutions have already passed in 19 legislative chambers across 12 states.

Senator Weiler also expressed his support for the resolution, drawing parallels between past political reactions to court packing and the current climate. He argued that regardless of party affiliation, any attempt to alter the number of justices for political gain is detrimental to the judicial system. He called for the amendment to be codified to prevent future political battles over the Supreme Court's composition.

The discussions during this session underscored the legislators' commitment to preserving the independence of the judiciary and highlighted the ongoing national conversation regarding the structure of the Supreme Court. As the session progresses, further actions and discussions on this resolution and other legislative matters are anticipated.