Democrats block proposed constitutional amendment to keep Supreme Court justices to nine

House Republicans failed to pass a constitutional amendment to block expanding the Supreme Court — it lost on a party-line 212-206 vote (it needed a two‑thirds majority).
Republicans immediately framed the defeat as proof Democrats want to "pack the court" and turned the issue into midterm messaging.
Democrats dismissed the measure as a campaign stunt, arguing voters are more focused on pocketbook issues like the rising cost of living.