In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill to expand the Supreme Court and protect New Deal legislation. The resulting political firestorm in the United States led to the formation of a powerful conservative coalition in Congress that resisted further executive expansion.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt entered his second term in 1937 with a massive electoral mandate and a growing frustration with the federal judiciary. The Supreme Court of the United States had recently invalidated several cornerstones of the New Deal, including the National Industrial Recovery Act and the Agricultural Adjustment Act. These rulings threatened the administration’s efforts to combat the Great Depression through federal intervention. Roosevelt believed the aging conservative justices on the bench were ideologically committed to an outdated view of the Constitution that prohibited modern economic regulation.
In February 1937, Roosevelt stunned Congress by introducing the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill. The legislation proposed that the president be allowed to appoint an additional justice for every sitting member of the Court over the age of 70, up to a maximum of six new seats. While the administration framed the bill as a measure to improve judicial efficiency and assist elderly judges with their workloads, the political intent was transparent. The goal was to create a pro-New Deal majority that would cease blocking executive and legislative actions.
The reaction to the proposal was swift and overwhelmingly negative across much of the political spectrum. Critics immediately branded the initiative as a court-packing scheme that undermined the independence of the judiciary. Even within the Democratic Party, which held overwhelming majorities in both chambers, the plan caused a deep rift. Many legislators who had previously supported Roosevelt’s economic policies viewed the bill as a dangerous overreach of executive authority that threatened the separation of powers.
This legislative struggle triggered a significant parliamentary realignment within the United States government. Southern Democrats, who were increasingly wary of federal power, began to distance themselves from the White House. They found common ground with the Republican minority, forming an informal but powerful Conservative Coalition. This alliance sought to halt the expansion of the New Deal and protect the traditional prerogatives of the legislative and judicial branches against executive encroachment.
The bill’s momentum stalled further when the Supreme Court itself began to shift its stance. In a move famously dubbed the switch in time that saved nine, Justice Owen Roberts joined the liberal wing to uphold the Social Security Act and the National Labor Relations Act. With the immediate threat to New Deal programs neutralized by the Court’s own actions, the necessity for the reform bill evaporated. The Senate Judiciary Committee eventually issued a scathing report, and the full Senate voted to recommit the bill, effectively killing it.
The failure of the 1937 court-packing plan left a lasting mark on American political history. It demonstrated the resilience of the separation of powers and the public’s deep-seated respect for the Supreme Court as an institution. The Conservative Coalition that emerged during the fight remained a dominant force in Congress until the mid-1960s, successfully blocking many subsequent liberal initiatives. This period of realignment ensured that future attempts to alter the structure of the federal courts would face immense scrutiny and bipartisan resistance.
Miles Harrington serves as the Senior Correspondent for Federal Systems & Executive Power at Just Right News, where he brings a disciplined, constitutionalist lens to the inner workings of the American government. With a focus on the mechanics of the federal bureaucracy and the limits of executive authority, Harrington has established himself as a vital voice for readers who value transparency, accountability, and the preservation of the separation of powers.
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Harrington’s perspective is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Old Dominion. Growing up in a city defined by its historical significance and its role as a center of American jurisprudence, he developed an early appreciation for the foundational principles of the Republic. His upbringing in Richmond—a place where the legacy of the Founding Fathers is woven into the landscape—instilled in him a belief that the federal government should remain within its constitutional bounds. This background informs his skepticism of centralized overreach and his commitment to reporting on the ways in which the administrative state impacts the lives of everyday citizens.
In his current role, Harrington specializes in the complexities of federal systems. He doesn’t just report on the headlines of the day; he digs into the structural shifts within the executive branch that often go unnoticed by the mainstream press. Whether he is analyzing the implications of a new federal regulation or investigating the expansion of agency jurisdiction, his work is characterized by a rigorous adherence to the facts and a dedication to the rule of law.
Harrington is perhaps best known for his signature feature series, “How Washington Works.” Through this ongoing project, he demystifies the often-opaque processes of the nation’s capital, pulling back the curtain on the “Deep State” and the unelected officials who wield significant influence over national policy. By breaking down complex legislative maneuvers and executive orders, he empowers Just Right News readers to understand the true levers of power in Washington. His reporting serves as a necessary check on the federal government, ensuring that the actions of those in power are held up to the light of public scrutiny.
Now based in Washington, D.C., Harrington operates at the epicenter of the political world, yet he remains intentionally distanced from the “Beltway bubble.” His proximity to the halls of power allows him to maintain a robust network of sources across the federal landscape, but his heart remains in the principled conservatism of his Virginia roots. He views his role not merely as a reporter, but as a steward of the public trust, dedicated to providing the clarity and context that conservative voters need to navigate an increasingly complex political environment.
Through his sharp analysis and unwavering commitment to the truth, Miles Harrington continues to be a cornerstone of the Just Right News team. His work ensures that the principles of limited government and executive restraint remain at the forefront of the national conversation, providing a crucial service to those who believe in a government that is truly of, by, and for the people.