Internet Exercise – Court Packing

Source: https://www.rutgers.edu/news/what-court-packing   Background: The United States Supreme Court is the branch of government intended to interpret the Constitution.  By doing so, it determines the validity of all actions of government.  It is asserted that Justices’ ideological leanings play a central role in decision-making.  For example, if a Justice supports less business regulation that Justice may lean conservative.  If a Justice supports more regulation that Justice may leaning liberal.  Depending on who serves, it is possible to have a group of Justices who are more conservative than liberal, or vice-versa.    Therefore, attitude matters.  The ideological beliefs of those serving on our highest court influence decisions that can affect each citizen.   Those who are nominated as Justices, therefore, are heavily scrutinized.  Because of the confirmations of the two most recent Justices, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, court-packing has been discussed.     Instructions:   Answer the following questions and submit your answers an MSWord document at Course Activities: Assignments.  Your submission will automatically be screened by Turnitin.     To answer the questions below, 1) use the source above to gain a better understanding of court-packing, and 2) research this topic further on your own.  Cite all sources that you use. (*Only credible sources may be used.  If you have a question about using a source, ask me.)      Remember: writing matters!  This is to be original writing.  Use full sentences-no bullets or listings. Use the sources above for your assignment. Do not copy/paste the source’s content or any other source.  Do not use wording and/or phrasing from these or any other sources. See syllabus for further explanation regarding plagiarism and academic integrity.     1.     Give background on the idea of “packing” the United States Supreme Court. Why do it and why is it currently being discussed?  2.     How are the president and Congress involved in who serves on the Supreme Court?  How would these branches be able to “pack” the court? 3.     Who supports the idea of court-packing and why?  Who opposes it and why? 4.     Currently, there are nine Justices on the Supreme Court.  Identify two (2) Justices-one who is characterized as a conservative and one who is viewed as liberal.  Provide background of each to support why they are characterized that way. 5.     Finally, what is your opinion on the use of court-packing?  (You need to dig deep and express an opinion on this topic.  It is not acceptable to say “I don’t have one…”).