Which proposal sought to expand the number of Supreme Court justices?

Which proposal sought to expand the number of Supreme Court justices?

• A. WPA
• B. Neutrality Act
• C. Court-Packing Bill
• D. Civilian Conservation Act

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is the attempt to change the size of the Supreme Court, a move often called court-packing. The Court-Packing Bill proposed in 1937 sought to expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court, from nine to as many as fifteen, so the President could appoint new justices who would be more likely to support New Deal legislation. This was in response to rulings that struck down key New Deal programs, and the plan aimed to shift the Court’s balance in a way that could uphold those policies. The other options are about programs or acts (works progress administration, neutrality measures, civilian conservation efforts) and do not involve altering the Court’s size, which is why this choice is the one that fits the question.

The idea being tested is the attempt to change the size of the Supreme Court, a move often called court-packing. The Court-Packing Bill proposed in 1937 sought to expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court, from nine to as many as fifteen, so the President could appoint new justices who would be more likely to support New Deal legislation. This was in response to rulings that struck down key New Deal programs, and the plan aimed to shift the Court’s balance in a way that could uphold those policies. The other options are about programs or acts (works progress administration, neutrality measures, civilian conservation efforts) and do not involve altering the Court’s size, which is why this choice is the one that fits the question.