Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices.

Where it stands

1. Introduced Done · Jan 3, 2025
2. Committee Done · Jan 3, 2025
3. Passed House Not yet
4. Passed Senate Not yet
5. President Not yet
6. Law Not yet

Failed in the House on Sep 2, 2026.

From the official actions on Congress.gov.

Key points

What it changes

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

Who it affects

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

What it costs

The Congressional Budget Office published a cost estimate on Jul 23, 2026 (as ordered reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary on June 3, 2026): H.J. Res. 1, a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices ↗

Where it stands

On motion to suspend the rules and pass Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 212 - 206 (Roll no. 293). (Sep 2, 2026)

What happens next

It failed in the House. It moves forward only if it is brought up for another vote.

Official summary

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the Supreme Court to be composed of nine Justices—one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House version), via Congress.gov. These are proposed provisions, not enacted law.

Recorded votes

1. HOUSEFinal passageSep 2, 2026 · roll call 293

   On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: Failed (212–206)

   This vote decided whether the bill passes this chamber.
   Votes by party

   How each party voted on roll call 293

   Party	Yes	No	Present	Did not vote	Share voting Yes
   Democratic	1	205	0	8
   Republican	211	0	0	7
   Independent	0	1	0	0

   Party totals from the official roll call.

   Map: how each state voted

   All voted YesSplitAll voted NoNo Yes or No votes

   Each state is shaded by the share of its U.S. House members who voted Yes, out of those who voted Yes or No. Colors show the vote, not party.

   Office of the Clerk, U.S. House ↗ — includes how every member voted

Vote types come from the official question text. How we label votes

Legislative history

1. Sep 2, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 212 - 206 (Roll no. 293).
2. Sep 2, 2026Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On motion to suspend the rules and pass Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 212 - 206 (Roll no. 293).
3. Sep 2, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5459-5460)
4. Sep 2, 2026At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
5. Sep 2, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 1.
6. Sep 2, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5443-5451; text: CR H5443)
7. Sep 2, 2026Mr. Biggs (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution.
8. Jul 6, 2026Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 84.
9. Jul 6, 2026Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-732.
10. Jul 6, 2026Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-732.
11. Jun 3, 2026Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 8.
12. Jun 3, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
13. Jan 3, 2025Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
14. Jan 3, 2025Introduced in House
15. Jan 3, 2025Introduced in House