RESEARCH LINKS
Issue 1: Supreme Court Term Limits
Congress.gov: H.R.4423 “To establish process for appointment Supreme Court Justices”
fixthecourt.com: “On Supreme Court Term Limits”
Formal group photograph of the Supreme Court as it was been comprised on June 30, 2022. Seated from left are Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., and Justices Samuel A. Alito and Elena Kagan.
Standing from left are Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States
Brookings Institution: “Term limits can tackle the Supreme Court’s crisis of legitimacy”
Alliance for Citizen Engagement: “Pros, Cons of Term Limits for Supreme Court Justices”
constitutioncenter.org: “Did Founders want term limits for Supreme Court Justices?”
Louisville Political Review: “The Case Against Supreme Court Term Limits”
Issue 2: Welfare Drug Testing
Congress.gov: H.R.204 “Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Act”
clasp.org: “Drug Testing and Public Assistance”
worldpopulationreview.com: “Welfare Drug Test States”
usatoday.com: “Viral Post Errs in List of States Requiring Drug Tests for Welfare”
legalmatch.com: “Welfare Drug Testing Legality”
Heritage Foundation: “Reforming the Food Stamp Program”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Issue 1: Supreme Court Term Limits
- Would Supreme Court term limits contradict Article III of the U.S. Constitution, which states justices shall “hold their Offices during good Behaviour?” Why or why not?
- Critics of Supreme Court term limits say it is an effort to grab the power Democrats have lost. How do you respond?
- Since the drafting of the Constitution, the legislative and executive branches of government have become more democratized. For example, senators are elected directly by voters in the states they represent. Should the judiciary undergo similar reform? Why or why not?
- Would term limits create a situation where justices are incentivized to rule in their self-interest during the final portion of their term to be more appealing to future employers? Why or why not?
- Opponents of Supreme Court term limits say unlimited judicial terms serve the goal of distancing the high court from political manipulation. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Issue 2: Welfare Drug Testing
- State legislators have argued that drug testing is often required by employers, so it is reasonable to also require it for welfare recipients. Do you agree? Why or why not?
- Drug testing welfare recipients is expensive. Do you think it is worth the cost? Why or why not?
- Does your state require drug testing for recipients of welfare programs like SNAP, TANF, etc.? Research the answer if you don’t know. Do you agree with your state’s policy?
- Do you believe the poor are more likely than other groups (such as seniors) who receive government money to use drugs? Why or why not?
- Proponents of drug testing welfare recipients argue that drug testing helps identify people who can benefit from substance abuse treatment. Is there a convincing link between welfare recipients and drug use? Why or why not?