Question
Using Checks and Balances, the President appoints Supreme Court Justices, but Congress has to vote to approve the appointments. If Roosevelt had been able to appoint more justices in his 'Court Packing' plan, what do you think would have been the impact? (U3.3) (Unit 1-4 EOC Study Notes) TEKS - 19(B) (1 point) Responses The power of the Executive Branch would have been decreased. The power of the Executive Branch would have been decreased. Roosevelt would have had more justices to rule in favor of what he wanted. Roosevelt would have had more justices to rule in favor of what he wanted. Congress would have been skipped over in this process, and Check & Balances would have been breeched. Congress would have been skipped over in this process, and Check & Balances would have been breeched. The Supreme Court would have gained too much power which is against the Constitution. The Supreme Court would have gained too much power which is against the Constitution. This would have made a court with nine justices instead of seven. This would have made a court with nine justices instead of seven.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
If Roosevelt had successfully implemented his 'Court Packing' plan and appointed more justices, the impact could have been multifaceted:
1. **Increased Executive Influence:** Roosevelt would likely have had more justices who aligned with his New Deal policies, which could substantially shift the Court's rulings in his favor. This increase in favorable rulings could have allowed him to advance his agenda with fewer obstacles, thereby strengthening the power of the Executive Branch at the expense of judicial independence.
2. **Breach of Checks and Balances:** The plan represented a significant overreach of presidential power, as it would undermine the principles of checks and balances established by the Constitution. By attempting to increase the number of justices without Congressional approval, Roosevelt would have set a precedent for future presidents to alter the composition of the Supreme Court for political gain, effectively circumventing the legislative branch's role in the appointment process.
3. **Potential Loss of Judicial Independence:** A Supreme Court filled with justices loyal to Roosevelt could become less independent, leading to a perception that the judiciary was merely an extension of the Executive Branch. This could erode public trust in the court's impartiality and its role as a check on presidential power.
4. **Constitutional Concerns:** Such actions would raise constitutional questions regarding the separation of powers. The framers of the Constitution intended for each branch of government to check the others to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful. A court dominated by justices who were appointed to serve the president's agenda would contradict this principle.
5. **Historical Impact:** If Roosevelt had successfully packed the Court, it may have led to a long-term alteration in the dynamics between the branches of government, potentially initiating a cycle of judicial appointments driven by partisan interests, thus altering the judicial landscape for generations.
Overall, while Roosevelt could have achieved short-term gains for his administration through a packed Supreme Court, the long-term implications could have jeopardized the principles of democracy and the separation of powers intended to protect the Constitution.
1. **Increased Executive Influence:** Roosevelt would likely have had more justices who aligned with his New Deal policies, which could substantially shift the Court's rulings in his favor. This increase in favorable rulings could have allowed him to advance his agenda with fewer obstacles, thereby strengthening the power of the Executive Branch at the expense of judicial independence.
2. **Breach of Checks and Balances:** The plan represented a significant overreach of presidential power, as it would undermine the principles of checks and balances established by the Constitution. By attempting to increase the number of justices without Congressional approval, Roosevelt would have set a precedent for future presidents to alter the composition of the Supreme Court for political gain, effectively circumventing the legislative branch's role in the appointment process.
3. **Potential Loss of Judicial Independence:** A Supreme Court filled with justices loyal to Roosevelt could become less independent, leading to a perception that the judiciary was merely an extension of the Executive Branch. This could erode public trust in the court's impartiality and its role as a check on presidential power.
4. **Constitutional Concerns:** Such actions would raise constitutional questions regarding the separation of powers. The framers of the Constitution intended for each branch of government to check the others to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful. A court dominated by justices who were appointed to serve the president's agenda would contradict this principle.
5. **Historical Impact:** If Roosevelt had successfully packed the Court, it may have led to a long-term alteration in the dynamics between the branches of government, potentially initiating a cycle of judicial appointments driven by partisan interests, thus altering the judicial landscape for generations.
Overall, while Roosevelt could have achieved short-term gains for his administration through a packed Supreme Court, the long-term implications could have jeopardized the principles of democracy and the separation of powers intended to protect the Constitution.