What power does Congress have regarding the Supreme Court?

Congress has the authority to determine the number of justices on the Supreme Court. This power is derived from the Constitution, which stipulates that Congress can set the size of the Court. In fact, the number of justices has changed several times throughout history, primarily reflecting the political dynamics and needs of the time. The judiciary’s structure is not rigidly defined in the Constitution, allowing Congress to pass legislation that affects the number of justices, such as increasing or decreasing their ranks.

This power plays a significant role in the checks and balances system, allowing the legislative branch to influence the composition of the judiciary. While Congress does not directly appoint justices or oversee individual Supreme Court cases, it is involved in the broader structural and functional aspects of the judicial system. Additionally, while impeachment is an option regarding justices, it is not a power Congress has over the Supreme Court in terms of determining its structure or size.