[Arthur Wildfire! March]

"I am not - believe it or not - unsympathetic to your views here. But that's simply not possible under the Constitution as it is written."

Congress controls the purse strings. What amendment cements the pay rates of Federal judges?

[aristeides]

Article III of the U.S. Constitution says the pay of federal judges cannot be cut. But there is nothing stopping their jurisdiction from being trimmed.

[general_re]

What amendment cements the pay rates of Federal judges?

No amendment - Article III, section 1.

"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 behaviour, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services, a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office."

It's to - ahem - keep the political branches from using the pay of judges to force them to adopt a particular view. Essentially, to prevent exactly what you're proposing ;)