Western South Dakota News

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today criticized Democrats' efforts to alter the structure of the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that such actions would set a dangerous precedent and undermine the court's independence.

In his prepared remarks, Thune compared President Biden's recent proposal to historical attempts at court-packing. "Mr. President, yesterday evening, in the tradition of another Democrat president and his infamous court-packing scheme way back in 1937, President Biden announced a proposal to interfere with the Constitution’s separation of powers and permanently politicize the Supreme Court," he said.

Thune argued that Democrats are motivated by dissatisfaction with recent Supreme Court decisions. "Democrats don’t like some of the Supreme Court’s recent decisions. And so they’ve decided to change the rules of the game," he stated.

The senator emphasized his own disagreements with past court decisions but noted that he never questioned the legitimacy of the institution itself. "I have never thought that my not agreeing with a Supreme Court decision meant that the court itself was illegitimate – or that my party should attempt to change the law to make over the Supreme Court in our image," Thune remarked.

Thune warned against legislative proposals aimed at altering the court's structure and lifetime appointments for justices, suggesting these measures could lead to further destabilization. "More than one Democrat has already introduced legislation in Congress to do so... if Democrats take the White House and Congress in November, we can expect them to lose no time in destroying the court as we know it."

He expressed concern about potential future actions beyond current proposals: "After all, while their proposal would conveniently start by retiring Republican appointees... Who’s to say that would be fast enough for Democrats?"

Thune drew parallels between current proposals and past changes to Senate rules regarding judicial nominees: "Back in 2013, Democrats – frustrated that they could not rubber-stamp all of President Obama’s appointees – abolished the filibuster for lower-court nominees."

Concluding his remarks, Thune urged Democratic colleagues who prioritize institutional stability over political gain to oppose these changes: "If there are any Democrats left in Congress who are willing to put the long-term health of our institutions over some temporary political gain, I urge them to join Republicans in opposing this power grab."

"Mr. President, I yield the floor," he finished.