WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote on Thursday on a new ethics code for the Supreme Court in response to recent controversies involving justices and wealthy donors. Republicans strongly oppose the ethics bill, claiming it could harm the high court. The legislation proposed by the committee would establish new ethics rules for the court and a process to enforce them, including enhanced transparency surrounding recusals, gifts, and potential conflicts of interest. Democrats introduced the bill after reports emerged earlier this year detailing Justice Clarence Thomas’ involvement in luxury vacations and a real estate deal with a major GOP donor, as well as Chief Justice John Roberts’ refusal to testify before the committee regarding the court’s ethics. Subsequent news reports revealed Justice Samuel Alito also took a luxury vacation with a GOP donor, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor utilized her staff to promote book sales during college visits over the past decade. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., expressed concern about the justices’ conduct outside of the courtroom and emphasized the need for enforceable standards. However, the ethics bill faces an uphill battle in the Senate, as it would require at least nine Republican votes to pass, and Republicans are unified in their opposition. The committee hearing on Thursday is expected to include several amendments proposed by Republicans challenging the legislation. GOP members argue that the bill threatens the separation of powers and is primarily driven by Democratic disagreement with the court’s decisions rather than genuine concerns about ethics. They believe passing the bill would “destroy” the Supreme Court. Nevertheless, Democrats stress the importance of establishing enforceable standards in light of recent revelations. The legislation proposes a new code of conduct for the Supreme Court, modeled after lower courts’ ethical policies, which includes a process for adjudicating violations. It also mandates that justices disclose more information about potential conflicts of interest, allows impartial panels of judges to review recusal decisions, and requires public, written explanations for decisions not to recuse. The bill further seeks to enhance transparency around gifts received by justices and establishes a process to investigate and enforce violations related to required disclosures. The recent push for ethics legislation follows reports exposing Justice Thomas’ close relationship with a GOP donor and his failure to disclose significant financial transactions and gifts. Chief Justice Roberts declined to testify on the matter but provided a statement reaffirming the justices’ adherence to ethical rules regarding travel, gifts, and outside income. The Associated Press also revealed instances where justices’ trips were used by universities to attract donations from wealthy patrons and expenses-paid teaching trips were taken to desirable destinations with limited classroom instruction.
The Supreme Court’s Ethics Rules Under Consideration by the Senate Judiciary Panel
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