Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the terms of office of the judges of the Supreme Court and inferior courts.

# Summary of HJRES 145 **What the Bill Does** This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would limit how long federal judges can serve on the Supreme Court and lower federal courts. Currently, federal judges serve lifetime appointments ("during good behavior"), meaning they can remain on the bench until they retire or pass away. If passed, this amendment would impose specific term limits on these positions, though the bill text doesn't specify the exact length of those terms. **Who It Affects and Current Status** The amendment would affect all federal judges, including the nine Supreme Court justices and judges on appeals courts and district courts nationwide. It would also impact the judicial system's structure and how often vacancies occur.

Currently, the bill is in committee, meaning it has not yet advanced to a full vote in Congress. A constitutional amendment requires approval from two-thirds of both the House and Senate, followed by ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures—a high bar that few proposals clear. The bill was introduced by Representative Tom Barrett (R-MI).