Full Breakdown
Senate Introduces Updated Supreme Court Ethics Act
By Drooid · · How we work
New Legislative Proposal
On July 23, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy introduced an updated version of his Supreme Court Ethics Act, co-sponsored by 14 senators, including Dick Durbin, Chris Van Hollen, Amy Klobuchar, and Adam Schiff. The bill seeks to impose a formal code of conduct on Supreme Court justices, who currently lack any binding ethics rules. A companion measure has previously been filed in the House by Hank Johnson, ranking member of the House Judiciary Courts Subcommittee, and is expected to be reintroduced.
Prior Efforts and Think-Tank Advocacy
Legislation to regulate judicial conduct has been repeatedly introduced over the past several years. The article highlights the role of the think tank Fix the Court, led by CEO Gabe Roth, in drafting and promoting such proposals. According to the piece, these efforts have been refined through multiple congressional hearings and floor debates, positioning the ethics code as a “sensible but enforceable” reform.
Political Context and Support
The commentary notes that substantial popular majorities, including “multitudes of Republicans,” back legislation to fill the ethics gap for the nation’s highest court.
Rationale and Critique
The article frames the ethics proposal as the first practical step for reformers, citing former Solicitor General Charles Fried (under President Ronald Reagan) who described the right-wing justices as wielding “a constitutional wrecking ball” against established doctrine. It warns that without a credible roadmap and public messaging, more radical institutional changes may “stagnate.”
Outlook
While the updated act is poised for hearings, the piece emphasizes that successful passage will depend on lawmakers’ ability to market the need for judicial ethics and demonstrate how such rules would “lawfully rectify” perceived judicial overreach. No further legislative deadlines are specified.