#NOTUS #FourWaysToFixCongress #Opinion #USPolitics

Ganesh Sitaraman
Vanderbilt Law School

The Supreme Court — a body of nine unelected judges who, once confirmed, can serve for life — plays an increasingly powerful role in shaping the laws that govern our country. In recent decades, on topics as varied as labor, employment law, health care and immigration, the court has served as the final arbiter on issues that should be, at least constitutionally speaking, in Congress’ hands.

For 30 years, Congress has been able to rein in the power of federal agencies through the Congressional Review Act, a law that allows federal regulations to be overturned with a simple majority and a signature from the president. A similar check should be extended to an increasingly heavy-handed Supreme Court when it considers matters of statute. Congress could have, for example, 30 days to decide whether to respond to a court ruling, and another 30 days for a committee to propose a clarification or revision of the statute — under a fast-track process. This reform would put our most representative branch — Congress — back in charge of the public policy decisions that impact us all.

Ganesh Sitaraman is a professor at Vanderbilt Law School and director of the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator.

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