WASHINGTON — On Monday, U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey. R-Pa., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced a constitutional amendment limiting the Supreme Court of the United States to nine justices.

The Supreme Court has had nine seats since 1869.

“Expanding the Supreme Court for partisan political reasons is a terrible idea,” said Toomey. “It would diminish the legitimacy of, and faith in, the institution as an independent branch of government. I hope my colleagues will join us in supporting this amendment to maintain the integrity of our nation’s highest court.”

Rubio agreed.

“The Democrats’ court packing proposal represents the latest shortsighted effort to undermine America’s confidence in our institutions and our democracy,” Rubio said. “America’s institutions are far from perfect. But over the past two centuries, they have provided a framework for our nation to become the most dynamic, most vibrant, and most exceptional nation in all of human history.

“To prevent the delegitimizing of the Supreme Court, I am introducing a constitutional amendment to keep the number of seats at nine. Our institutions matter. Our Constitution matters. And we should fight to protect them.”

Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined Toomey and Rubio in introducing the constitutional amendment.