Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act of 2025

Summary

Creates a system of fixed 18-year active-service terms for Supreme Court justices, requires the President to nominate one justice in the first and third years after each Presidential election year, and limits any individual to a single 18-year term. It requires the Senate to act on nominations within set timeframes, phases incumbent justices into retirement by seniority as new justices are commissioned, and allows retired justices to be temporarily assigned to fill shortfalls through a transparent, randomized selection by the Chief Justice.

• Imposes fixed 18-year active-service terms for Supreme Court justices measured from swearing-in.
• Requires the President to nominate one justice in the first and third years after each Presidential election year as the exclusive appointment schedule.
• Limits each person to a single 18-year Supreme Court term (no reappointments).
• Phases incumbent justices into retirement by seniority as new justices are commissioned.
• Requires the Senate to act on initial nominations within 90 days and on replacements within 120 days.
• Allows retired justices to be temporarily assigned to sit via a public, randomized selection administered by the Chief Justice when the Court lacks its full complement.
• Adds new sections to title 28, U.S.C., and updates the statute table to reflect the changes.
• Creates predictable vacancy timing intended to reduce strategic retirements tied to political timing.
• Raises potential constitutional and practical questions about life tenure, separation of powers, and Senate confirmation timelines.