It was a shocking announcement. On Thursday, US Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY) joined Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) to report they were introducing a bill to add four seats to the Supreme Court. “The Republicans stole two seats, it’s up to us to repair that damage,” Markey said.
Being Proposed:
- Adding four new seats, creating a 13-member Supreme Court
- Restructuring the balance by having 7 liberals to offset the 6 so-called conservatives
- Abolishing the filibuster and its 60-vote majority in the Senate, which would be required to pass this legislation
These are some of the claims:
- “Expanding the court rights the wrongs the Republicans have done to this Supreme Court… and restores equal justice.”
- “We are not packing the court, we are unpacking it.”
- “We have to save our democracy from the greatest threat since Jim Crow.”
- “The Far Right is at war with our democracy.”
- “This crisis did not arrive overnight, but the Supreme Court has been working to demolish our democracy for years and dismantle civil rights…and promote racism… such as the new “voter suppression” laws in Georgia.”
Because there are no Asians, black women or other minorities on the Court, Rep. Jones warned that the imbalance must be remedied.
The Facts
The Constitution does not mandate a specific number of justices, and the number has changed seven times. During the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt pushed a plan that would have expanded the court to 15 seats, but that effort failed. It did, however, succeed in pushing the justices to rule in FDR’s favor on New Deal programs.
Contrary to the accusations, we do not have a far-right Supreme Court. There are only two reliably conservative Justices: Alito and Thomas. Adding four liberals would cement the court as another arm of the Democrat Party, giving them the House, Senate, White House, and Supreme Court.
Both Speaker Pelosi and President Biden are trying to appear neutral. Minutes before the announcement, Speaker Pelosi said she has no plans to bring their legislation to the floor of the House. Following the announcement, Press Secretary Jen Psaki pushed back on the suggestion that President Biden has an opinion of court packing. She said Biden is happy to wait for his commission to report on their findings. The 36-member commission will hold public meetings to hear from experts as well as interested parties and will have 180 days to complete a report on expanding the court.
Historically, Biden has been firmly against changing the number of justices. In an interview with a local Iowa station in 2019, he warned that he was not prepared to try and pack the court. In a more recent interview from last October, he confirmed his opposition.
Senator Biden made the following statement on FDR’s effort to pack the court during the Great Depression:
“It was a bonehead idea. It was a terrible, terrible mistake to make. And it put in question, for an entire decade, the independence of the most significant body in this country… the Supreme Court of the United States of America.”
–Senator Joe Biden, 1983
Why this Matters: Is this a desperation move because Democrats lack a majority in the Senate? This legislation is likely to fail in Congress, as all Republicans and some moderate Democrats are opposed to the expansion and opposed to getting rid of the filibuster. The actual point of the threat may be to intimidate justices to moderate their views and support the Democrats’ agenda. However, It may backfire on the Democrats if a majority of Americans find this power grab offensive.
More Surprises
- The House Oversight Committee put forth a D.C. statehood bill. This area of the country was set aside by the Founders to remain without representation because it is filled with politicians and those who make money off of their influence. Statehood would give Democrats two more Senators.
The House Judiciary Committee has voted to create legislation that would provide reparations for slavery.
- Protections for Down Syndrome Babies – The Sixth Circuit Court of appeals ruled to uphold an Ohio law that bans doctors from performing abortions when they know the child has Down syndrome. This pro-life victory has an unusual aspect in that it judges motivation for abortion, and sets a precedent for preserving the lives of babies with other types of disabilities. The ruling will likely be challenged in the Supreme Court.
Body Parts
- Newly-released documents suggest that the FDA used tax dollars to illegally buy baby body parts for research. This was revealed in emails from 2012 to 2018, before President Trump cut off funding. In one email, the FDA states it will pay $12,000 up front for “tissue purchases” of babies between 16 and 24 weeks gestation. A US firm called Advanced Bioscience Resources used the tissue to create “humanized mice” for drug testing.
- US and Chinese scientists announce they have created embryos that are part human, part monkey. This is part of an effort to produce organs for transplants, since pig and sheep embryos proved incompatible. These mixed-species embryos are known as chimeras, named for the goat/snake of Greek mythology. Critics worry that human cells could become part of the developing brain of such an embryo.
Out of One War, Into Another Conflict?
- President Biden announced he would pull all troops out of Afghanistanby September 11, as trouble heats up with Russia. Last week, he announced two US warships would be deployed to the Black Sea because of Russian troop build-up on Ukraine’s border. After Russia called the deployment an unfriendly provocation, Biden cancelled it—but warned Putin there would be ‘repercussions’ for the troop build-up in Ukraine.
On Thursday, Biden issued an emergency powers act against the Russian Federation, imposing sanctions and expelling ten Russian diplomats. The Russians are being sanctioned for election interference, hacking campaigns, and their continued annexation of Crimea.
More Censorship
- James O’Keefe of Project Veritas recently released a video of CNN Technical Director Charlie Chester admitting CNN relies heavily on propaganda and was intent on promoting fake news about Donald Trump and Rep. Matt Gaetz because they are Republicans who can hurt the Democrat agenda. Chester claims if it weren’t for CNN, Trump might have won.
On Thursday, Twitter suspended O’Keefe’s account.
Why This Matters: Believers must remain calm and trust God when things appear to be going the wrong way. He will use everything for our good and His glory. We can stay positive while standing on the truth. Eventually, the lies will be destroyed.
How to Pray: Pray for godly men and women who serve in public office that they can remain strong. May the Lord bring down the corrupt media and the servants of the enemy that promote lies. Satan has allowed us to see his hand and what he plans, may the Lord bring those things to nothing.
I Cor. 4:5 – Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Praying Citizen 
I can relate to a lot of what you said. As far as lunch is 11 too early for you? I am just thinking they might not be as busy
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