Article III of the Constitution grants Congress significant discretion to determine the shape and structure of the federal judiciary. Section 1 of Article III states, “The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. 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.”

Supreme Court Justices and all other members of the federal judiciary serve for life. Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution states, “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.”

Supreme Court Justices play a crucial role in interpreting the Constitution and ensuring the country's laws align with its foundational principles. Their primary responsibility is to review cases that raise significant constitutional questions, serving as the final arbiters of legal disputes in the nation. Through their interpretations of the law, Supreme Court Justices influence the direction of American society and safeguard the rights and liberties enshrined in the Constitution.

The size of the Supreme Court is determined by Congress. When the Supreme Court was first established, it consisted of five Associate Justices and one Chief Justice. Congress expanded the Court for the first time when they added a seventh seat in 1807. In 1837, Congress passed the Eighth and Ninth Circuit Acts of 1837, expanding the size of the Court to nine. A tenth seat was added by the Tenth Circuit Act of 1863, but it was abolished just three years later in the Judicial Circuits Act. Since 1866, the Supreme Court has consisted of eight Associate Justices and the Chief Justice.