House Republicans intend to introduce a constitutional amendment locking the Supreme Court at nine justices. Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters at the Capitol that the measure would come to the House floor the next day under a two-thirds vote requirement in both chambers.

He said the step would stop later attempts to enlarge the bench and that a handful of House Democrats who have distanced themselves from that idea would face a recorded vote.

Over the past decade some Democrats have sought more seats, term limits, and ethics rules after rulings they opposed, saying the changes would protect the court’s standing; those bills have not advanced. Georgia Representative Hank Johnson argued Congress should impose checks rather than leave the justices unconstrained, while Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey said a future Democratic Senate majority should end the filibuster and grow the court.