Senate panel passes bill requiring Supreme Court to adopt ethics code

WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee has passed a bill that would require the Supreme Court to adopt a mandatory code of ethics.

The bill requires the Supreme Court to follow stricter rules on disclosure of information.

The bill, led by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, passed with votes from all caucuses and no Republican support.

The bill now goes to the Congress for debate and a vote. The bill gives the Supreme Court 180 days to adopt a binding code of ethics.

Supreme Court justices are currently the only federal judges in the U.S. who are not bound by a code of ethics.

The bill would also require parties and amici curiae to disclose to the Supreme Court any recent gifts, travel, or reimbursements received.

It would also establish new disqualification criteria for gifts, income or reimbursements to judges.

Republicans have opposed the bill.

They argue that it would “destroy the United States Supreme Court as an institution”

However, a recent poll found that nearly 60% of Americans support ethics reform on the Supreme Court.

The bill’s chances are uncertain in the Democratic-dominated Senate, and it has no chance of passing in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Democrats, however, hope to bring the bill to a vote on the House floor so voters can see how their elected officials feel about it. 

“We are here because the highest court in the land has the lowest standards of ethics anywhere in the federal government, and justices have exhibited much improper behavior, not least in hapless efforts to excuse the misdeeds,” the senator added. 

“This cannot go on. Defending this behavior defends the indefensible.”

Republicans argued that this legislation would “destroy the United States Supreme Court as an institution.”