What It Will Take to Expand the Supreme Court in 2029

The Countdown to Supreme 13

On July 31, 2026, former Vice President Kamala Harris called for revisiting the question of expanding the Supreme Court to 13 justices.

Her statement brings renewed national attention to a reform that has long been treated as politically distant. Turning that proposal into law, however, would require clearing three critical thresholds:

• The House: A majority of the House—normally at least 218 representatives—must vote for legislation expanding the Court from 9 justices to 13.
• The Senate: A Senate majority—potentially 50 senators with a Democratic vice president breaking a tie—must be prepared to create an exception to or eliminate the legislative filibuster for Supreme Court expansion. That majority must then pass the legislation and, once the new seats have been created, confirm the president’s four nominees.
• The Presidency: A Democratic president must be prepared to sign the legislation, nominate candidates for the four new seats, and recognize the immense risk of allowing the current 6–3 Republican-appointed majority to shape or invalidate major national policies for decades.

A Democratic governing majority alone will therefore not be enough. The president and members of Congress must also be prepared to act.

By adding four justices, Democrats could finally rebalance the institution and end the Republican-appointed majority that has existed on every fully staffed Supreme Court since 1970.

Between now and 2029, those of us who support this reform have vital work to do. We must help our fellow citizens and political leaders understand why Supreme Court expansion is essential to protecting democratic government and making future progress possible.

Supreme 13 is dedicated to that mission. This website provides research, source documentation, and information to help build a national movement for Court expansion.

Build the Coalition

Structural change is not won in Washington alone. It requires a grassroots coalition broad and durable enough that candidates and elected officials cannot ignore it.

• See Who Has Taken a Stand: Explore the list of elected officials and organizations that have publicly endorsed Supreme Court expansion.
• Ask Others to Join Them: If your elected officials or organizations you support have not publicly endorsed expansion, contact them directly. Ask them to take a stand—and explain why expanding the Supreme Court is essential to ensuring that the achievements of a future Democratic governing majority can endure.

The road to Supreme Court expansion in 2029 begins now.