Senate Democrat: Supreme Court Ethics Reform Bill Advancing

The Senate Judiciary Committee to Vote on Supreme Court Ethics Reform

The Senate Judiciary Committee is gearing up to vote on Supreme Court ethics reform legislation, according to its chairman, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). In a press release, Sen. Durbin emphasized the importance of maintaining high ethical standards for the highest court in the land. He announced that the committee will mark up the legislation after the July 4th recess, with an official vote scheduled for next week.

Republicans have accused Democrats of targeting the Court due to its conservative-leaning majority, which has issued decisions that Democrats find objectionable.

Former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, appointed by President George W. Bush, dismissed Democrats’ concerns about Supreme Court ethics during a hearing on May 2. He argued that critics were exaggerating misconduct allegations to undermine the authority of justices who issue rulings they disagree with.

Democrats have been particularly frustrated with the conservative bloc of the Supreme Court, which has made significant conservative rulings in its recent term. These rulings covered various topics, including affirmative action, student loan relief, religious freedom, and property rights.

Sen. Durbin expressed his concerns about the Court’s reputation and credibility, especially in light of the decisions that overturned longstanding precedents and undermined the progress made by the country over generations.

Following the Court’s decision to strike down President Joe Biden’s plan to forgive student loans, Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Don Beyer (D-Va.) reintroduced their proposed Supreme Court Term Limits and Regular Appointments Act. This move reflects the growing public distrust in the Court and its perceived lack of accountability.

Last year’s term was also contentious, with the Court advancing conservative goals by reversing Roe v. Wade, recognizing the right to carry a gun in public, and limiting the government’s environmental regulatory powers.

The Court issued 58 opinions in cases argued during the term that began in October 2022. The new term will commence with oral arguments in October, and the Court is currently in recess for the summer.

Democrats have been demanding a code of ethics for the Supreme Court, particularly in response to alleged ethical lapses by conservative justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. They are particularly concerned about Justice Thomas’s relationship with wealthy Republican donor Harlan Crow, who provided him with luxurious vacations, tuition support, and purchased property from his family.

While Democrats continue to push for ethics reform, the fate of the legislation remains uncertain.