Blumenthal Applauds Senate Judiciary Committee Approval of Supreme Court Ethics Bill

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, applauded the Committee’s approval of the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency (SCERT) Act, legislation to bring basic transparency and accountability standards to the Supreme Court.

“The Supreme Court’s lack of ethical standards degrade and detract from its credibility and trust. The American public are beginning to see the Court just like any other political body – politicians wearing robes – and that is ultimately destructive,” Blumenthal said. “The Chief Justice could defuse this debate and address this problem by coming forth with a code of ethics, but has repeatedly failed to do so. This isn’t about appointees of Republicans or Democrats; both have been responsible for ethical breaches that bring us here today.  I continue to urge the Chief Justice to demonstrate the leadership which would help save the Court and this very significant democratic institution.”

The Blumenthal-sponsored bill would create a much-needed process for investigating misconduct at the Supreme Court, strengthen recusal standards for judges and disclosure rules for special interests trying to influence the courts, improve disclosure of travel and hospitality for judges, and mandate the creation of a binding code of ethics.

Video of Blumenthal’s remarks can be found here.

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