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05/02/1937 FDR proposes enlarging Supreme Court "court packing"

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FDR's Supreme Court Packing Plan Explained - Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937

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#9 The Court Packing Plan

The Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of was a legislative initiative proposed by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to add more justices to the U.S. Supreme Court. Roosevelt's purpose was to obtain favorable rulings regarding New Deal legislation that the court had ruled unconstitutional. The central provision of the bill would have granted the President power to appoint an additional Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court, up to a maximum of six, for every member of the court over the age of 70 years and 6 months.
    • Essentials 

    • Background 

    • The New Deal in court 

    • Antecedents to reform legislation 

    • Reform legislation 

    • Senate hearings 

    • White Monday 

    • Failure of reform legislation 

    • Consequences