U.S. Supreme Court justices—and all other federal judges—serve for life. Article III, Section I provides: “The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.”

Many times through the years, members of Congress have introduced measures to limit the tenure of justices—to 10-year terms, 20-year terms, and other time allotments—but none of these measures has been enacted.