Judicial Reorganization Bill of 1937

The Judicial Reorganization Bill of 1937 was a proposal by President Franklin D. Roosevelt aimed at changing the U.S. Supreme Court's structure. It sought to allow the President to appoint an additional judge for every sitting justice over the age of 70, potentially adding up to six new justices. Roosevelt's intent was to secure support for his New Deal programs, which faced opposition in the Court. The bill faced significant backlash, was seen as an attempt to undermine judicial independence, and ultimately failed to pass in Congress, which weakened Roosevelt's political standing.