The Constitution plays a crucial role in shaping the judiciary, including preventing bias from influencing the lawmaking efforts of the Supreme Court in several key ways.
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Appointment Process: Supreme Court justices are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, as outlined in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution. This two-step process serves as a check on the power of any single branch of government, ensuring that justices are not appointed solely based on personal bias or political affiliation. The requirement for Senate confirmation means that a wider range of political perspectives must be considered, promoting a more balanced and impartial judiciary.
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Lifetime Tenure: Justices hold their positions for life, barring retirement or impeachment. This setup allows them to make decisions based on legal principles and the Constitution, rather than on public opinion or political pressures, since they do not need to seek re-election or reappointment.
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Judicial Independence: The Constitution establishes the judiciary as an independent branch of government. This independence is crucial for impartial decision-making and allows the courts to act as a check on the other branches of government, mitigating the influence of political bias in legal interpretations.
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Rule of Law: The Constitution embodies a commitment to the rule of law, which requires that all individuals, including government officials, are subject to the law. This principle encourages justices to prioritize fair application of the law over personal beliefs or biases.
In summary, the Constitution addresses bias in the Supreme Court through a structured appointment process, lifetime tenure, judicial independence, and a commitment to the rule of law—each contributing to a more impartial and equitable legal system.
From the given responses, the most accurate statement related to the Constitution's structure for appointing justices is: The president appoints Supreme Court justices.