Biden urges Supreme Court overhaul.

Biden calls for Supreme Court reform, term limits in Austin speech 

During a speech at the LBJ Presidential Library, marking the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, President Joe Biden called for sweeping reforms to the Supreme Court. Biden proposed ending lifetime appointments, imposing term limits, and enacting a code of ethics for the justices.

"This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America," Biden said. "No one is above the law."

Biden also urged Congress to overturn the Supreme Court decision granting former presidents immunity from prosecution for "official acts."

In an op-ed in The Washington Post, and ahead of his trip to Austin, Biden advocated for a constitutional amendment to limit presidential immunity and impose term limits on Supreme Court justices.

Passing the 1964 Civil Rights Act faced resistance, but with Johnson's efforts, it was signed into law on July 2, 1964. Biden drew parallels between the fight for civil rights and the need for Supreme Court reforms, citing recent decisions that rolled back voting rights and abortion rights. 

"Now, we live in a different era," Biden said. "Extreme opinions from the Supreme Court have undermined long-established civil rights principles."

Biden's proposals include a constitutional amendment to remove immunity for crimes committed by presidents, as well as term limits and an enforceable code of ethics for justices. He suggested a system where presidents appoint justices every two years for 18-year terms.

These reforms face an uphill battle with the current GOP-controlled House and a slim Democratic majority in the Senate. 

The event featured musical performances and an excerpt of LBJ's address read by actor Bryan Cranston. Biden's speech came a week after he endorsed Kamala Harris as his successor, with Harris already securing the majority of DNC delegates.

Quotes:

"This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America. No one is above the law." - Joe Biden

"Joe Biden & his Border Czar Kamala Harris can come all the way to Texas but not the border [...] Americans are waiting for them to take this national security crisis seriously." - Greg Abbott, Republican Gov. of Texas

"In recent years, extreme opinions that the Supreme Court has handed down have undermined long-established civil rights principles and protections." - Joe Biden

"For the last 50 years, [Biden] has devoted himself to fulfilling the dreams of the American people, all of them — rich, poor, black, white, red, green, gay, straight, whatever we are." - Andrew Young, former UN Ambassador

Austin city council member Alison Alter reflected on Biden's speech, saying, "It's very fitting that we mark the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act by beginning to take the next step. [Supreme Court reform is] the next frontier for civil rights."