Several Senate Democrats warned the Supreme Court this week that if it doesn’t take steps to “heal itself” it could face “restructuring” in the future.
The message was part of a brief filed on behalf of Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Kirsten Gillibrand, (D-NY) Monday in a case related to a gun law in New York City.
The Democratic senators' brief was filed in the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. City of New York, which dealt with legal limitations on where gun owners could transport their licensed, locked, and unloaded firearms. They are urging the court to stay out of the case brought by the NRA-backed group, claiming that because the city recently changed the law to ease restrictions, the push to the Supreme Court is part of an "industrial-strength influence campaign" to get the conservative majority to rule in favor of gun owners.
If the court still decides to hear the case, a ruling against New York City could prevent other cities and states from passing similar gun control laws. (FoxNews.com)
The brief claims the Court has become politicized.
“The Supreme Court is not well,” the brief states. “And the people know it. Perhaps the Court can heal itself before the public demands it be “restructured in order to reduce the influence of politics.” Particularly on the urgent issue of gun control, a nation desperately needs it to heal.”
The passage was referencing a Quinnipiac University poll from May that found 51 percent favored restructuring and 55 percent believed the Court was “motivated by politics” more than the law.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) spoke out against his Democratic colleagues, informing them that SCOTUS is doing just fine and that it's the American political system that's in need of healing.
"To my Democratic colleagues: The Supreme Court is well," he tweeted. "The American political system is the sick patient (Kavanaugh hearings). The Court is moving center-right and getting out of the left ditch. That's exactly where the country is headed!"
To my Democratic colleagues:
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) August 13, 2019
The Supreme Court is well.
The American political system is the sick patient (Kavanaugh hearings).
The Court is moving center-right and getting out of the left ditch. That's exactly where the country is headed!https://t.co/5N2ofAg9rQ