Which description best matches the Court Packing Scheme proposed by Franklin D. Roosevelt?

Which description best matches the Court Packing Scheme proposed by Franklin D. Roosevelt?

• A. A plan to abolish the Supreme Court
• B. A plan to move the Supreme Court to a different city
• C. A plan to elect more Supreme Court justices by popular vote
• D. A plan to expand the Supreme Court to allow more favorable rulings for New Deal programs

Answer: (D)

This question focuses on Roosevelt’s court-packing plan. It was a proposal to expand the size of the Supreme Court so more justices could be appointed who would be favorable to New Deal programs. The idea came after several New Deal measures were struck down by a conservative-leaning Court, and the plan suggested adding justices—potentially up to 15 in total—to shift the Court’s balance toward Roosevelt’s policies. It wasn’t about abolishing the Court, moving it, or having the people elect judges; it was about increasing the number of justices to influence rulings in favor of the New Deal. The proposal sparked significant opposition and ultimately did not pass, but it exemplifies how the executive branch sought to affect judicial outcomes when legislative and regulatory reforms faced constitutional hurdles.

This question focuses on Roosevelt’s court-packing plan. It was a proposal to expand the size of the Supreme Court so more justices could be appointed who would be favorable to New Deal programs. The idea came after several New Deal measures were struck down by a conservative-leaning Court, and the plan suggested adding justices—potentially up to 15 in total—to shift the Court’s balance toward Roosevelt’s policies. It wasn’t about abolishing the Court, moving it, or having the people elect judges; it was about increasing the number of justices to influence rulings in favor of the New Deal. The proposal sparked significant opposition and ultimately did not pass, but it exemplifies how the executive branch sought to affect judicial outcomes when legislative and regulatory reforms faced constitutional hurdles.