Why did Roosevelt want to reform the supreme court?

Answer 1

FDR felt the Justices on the Supreme Court were becoming too conservative and declaring too many of his New Deal measures as unconstitutional. FDR proposed a plan to add a new justice for each Supreme Court Justice over 70 years of age and increase the size of the Court up to 15. This would give the President the power to "pack the court" with justices who would support the New Deal.

Answer 2

FDR proposed a plan to add a new justice for each Supreme Court Justice over 70 years of age and increase the size of the Court up to 15. This would give the President the power to "pack the court" with justices who would support the New Deal. Reaction in both Congress and the nation at large was hostile. FDR's plan was considered to be tampering with the Constitution and the separation of powers. FDR backed down and the Supreme Court actually approved several key New Deal enactment's. Since many on the Court were old, FDR ended up appointing eight new Justices before he died.

Answer 3

To prevent New Deal programs from being reversed by the Court

Answer 4

Case pending on Social Security and the Wagner Act, it was possible that the court would strike down most of the major deals