Does anyone have control over the Supreme Court?
Asked by: Morris Sawayn | Last update: November 30, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (71 votes)
Article III, Section I states that "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." Although the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court, it permits Congress to decide how to organize it.
Is there anyone above the Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the land and the only part of the federal judiciary specifically required by the Constitution. The Constitution does not stipulate the number of Supreme Court Justices; the number is set instead by Congress.
Can anyone overrule the Supreme Court?
When Congress disagrees with the Supreme Court about an interpretation of the Constitution, the only direct way to override that interpretation is for two-thirds of both houses of Congress to propose an amendment to the Constitution, which then must be ratified by three-quarters of the states.
Who has oversight over the Supreme Court?
Congress possesses substantial authority to regulate how the federal courts exercise judicial power, albeit subject to certain constitutional limitations.
Who is the boss of the Supreme Court?
Nine Justices make up the current Supreme Court: one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr., is the 17th Chief Justice of the United States, and there have been 104 Associate Justices in the Court's history.
Do Supreme Court Justices Need a Code of Conduct?
Can the president change the Supreme Court?
The President nominates someone for a vacancy on the Court and the Senate votes to confirm the nominee, which requires a simple majority. In this way, both the Executive and Legislative Branches of the federal government have a voice in the composition of the Supreme Court.
Who can overrule a judge?
Most federal court decisions, and some state court rulings, can be challenged. The U.S. courts of appeals usually have the last word. The nation's 94 federal judicial districts are organized into 12 regional circuits, each of which has a court of appeals.
Who has the power to overrule the US Supreme Court?
Federal courts, including the Supreme Court, have the authority to interpret the law and the Constitution. Once a court has made a ruling, Congress cannot simply reverse that decision. Congress can respond to court decisions by passing new legislation or amending existing laws.
What branch of government oversees the Supreme Court?
The third branch of government is the Judicial branch.
Can Congress dissolve the Supreme Court?
8.3 Supreme Court and Congress. Congress cannot abolish the high court. See ArtIII. S1.
Who has the power to remove Supreme Court?
Only Congress has the authority to remove an Article III judge. This is done through a vote of impeachment by the House and a trial and conviction by the Senate. As of September 2017, only 15 federal judges have been impeached, and only eight have been convicted.
Can anyone sue the Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court, as an institution, cannot be sued. It is protected by the concept of judicial immunity. Justices of the Supreme Court can't be sued for decisions they make in the course of their duties due to judicial immunity.
Who can challenge the Supreme Court?
In the past, Congress, the president and state governments have openly defied controversial Supreme Court rulings. Congress can also regulate the types of cases the court is allowed to hear or dilute a recalcitrant majority by “packing” the court with ideologically sympathetic justices.
What is higher than US Supreme Court?
The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. Article III of the U.S. Constitution created the Supreme Court and authorized Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts.
Who dominates the Supreme Court?
The current justices (those voting in the 2023 term, shown with solid bars) are near the extremes for this period with all the 6 Republican-appointed justices near the top and the 3 Democratic-appointed justices near the bottom.
What is one way the president can check the power of the Supreme Court?
Filling Court vacancies is another way in which presidents can impact Court outcomes. Judicial appointments and confirmations also check the Supreme Court's power. The constitutional process on paper seems simple enough. The president of the United States appoints and the Senate confirms.
Does Congress have any power over the Supreme Court?
Congress creates laws; the Supreme Court interprets those laws in the context of legal disputes and rules on their constitutionality. Congress can change the courts' size, structure, and jurisdiction.
Who controls the U.S. Supreme Court?
Article III, Section I states that "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." Although the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court, it permits Congress to decide how to organize it.
Who has the power to declare war?
The Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war. Congress has declared war on 11 occasions, including its first declaration of war with Great Britain in 1812. Congress approved its last formal declaration of war during World War II.
Can the President overturn Supreme Court decisions?
When the Supreme Court rules on a constitutional issue, that judgment is virtually final; its decisions can be altered only by the rarely used procedure of constitutional amendment or by a new ruling of the Court.
Which is the most powerful Supreme Court in the world?
The Indian Supreme Court has been called “the most powerful court in the world” for its wide jurisdiction, its expansive understanding of its own powers, and the billion plus people under its authority.
Who holds the power to approve Supreme Court Justices?
Article III judges, including Justices of the Supreme Court, are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Constitution doesn't have what might be considered a job description for Article III judges.
Who is the boss over a judge?
Lower courts typically answer to higher courts and the highest court (usually the supreme court), does not answer to anyone. The AG's office is a separate branch of government and would have power over judges typically.
Who has more authority than a judge?
Supreme Court Justices
The Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction over other matters as conferred upon the Supreme Court by various statutes, under the authority given Congress by the Constitution. Learn more about Supreme Court justices.
Who can hold judges accountable?
The Commission on Judicial Performance, established in 1960, is the independent state agency responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges, pursuant to article VI, section 18 of the California Constitutionopens in a new window.