Texas Democrat Calls for Bold Action on Supreme Court
During the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) on August 7, Texas Democrat Jasmine Crockett expressed her desire for the Supreme Court to “pack its bags” once the federal government regains its control. This statement came after she advocated for expanding Puerto Rico and the Columbia district to have 13 representatives, as part of broader discussions about potential changes if the Democrats gain unified control by 2028.
“If there’s some consistency in this country, we can’t just let the pendulum swing wildly from one side to the other,” Crockett remarked. She emphasized the need for the Democratic Party to take significant action when they hold power, stating, “It’s not enough to just say we’re not doing any more harm.” She expressed frustration over what she described as “evil and unqualified” forces in positions of power, suggesting that drastic changes are necessary to prevent harm to the public.
Crockett urged Democrats to act boldly regarding issues like the Supreme Court’s integrity and voting rights. “Without the right to vote, there are no other rights,” she said, pointing out the importance of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Her comments seemed to underscore a sense of urgency around voting rights and the implications of recent changes in Texas.
The ongoing Texas redistricting plan could potentially grant Republicans up to five additional seats in the House of Representatives, which Crockett criticized. “We’re here asking ourselves, what are we doing?” she commented on the situation, suggesting that the Democrats have been outmaneuvered by the Supreme Court’s current alignment.
Democrats are fiercely opposing the proposed map and are concerned about its implications for democracy. Some, like Kerrville, argue that drastic actions by Democrats are essential to protect democratic principles.
Interestingly, a recent poll by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that only 29% of Americans support expanding the Supreme Court. Throughout the 2020 campaign, former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris sidestepped the issue of court packing, with Biden ultimately opting not to endorse the idea during his presidency.
