F.D.R vs. Supreme Court Court Packing

1. F.D.R vs. Supreme CourtCourt Packing By Cody McKinley

2. The Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937 • Legislative initiative proposed by F.D.R • Wanted to gain favor on new deal measures that had been struck down and declared unconstitutional • It was unveiled on February 5, 1937 • And on march 9 1937 was the subject of 1 of his fireside chats • It ultimately failed due to adverse public opinion

3. About the bill • The provisions adhered to 4 basic principles • The president can add 1 justice for each one that is over the age of 70 years 6 months • Limitations on the # of judges the president could appoint: no more than 6 S.C.J. and no more than 2 on any lower federal court • Lower level judges be able to float around to other courts with busy or backlogged dockets • Lower courts be administered by S.C. through newly created proctors

4. Public Reaction • The public was split, partly because 1. the supreme court was conflated with the constitution 2. Roosevelt’s personal involvement • In his March 9 fireside chat he stated that the the nation had reached a point where it needed to save the constitution from the supreme court

5. Critics and Failings of the New Deal By Cody McKinley (again)

6. Critics • Huey Long- thought it was too generous to corporate interests. • Charles Coughlin- considered Roosevelt a dictator and called new deal communist

7. Failings • Too slow and cautious to provide fiscal stimulus • Too much public power in private hands • New deal policies disproportionally benefited white men