WASHINGTON - Justice Antonin Scalia's sudden death just before his 80th birthday and the potential impasse over replacing him brings up an old idea: Term limits for Supreme Court justices.

Scalia was on the court for nearly 30 years, longer than any of the current justices and all but 14 of the 112 men and women who have served on the court.

The Constitution says federal judges "shall hold their offices during good behaviour," essentially as they long as they wish.

The most talked-about idea has support among both liberals and conservatives. A single 18-year-term would replace lifetime tenure. Going forward, presidents would appoint a justice every two years, ensuring both continuity on the court and two picks for each presidential term.