Supreme Court Ethics Code Legislation

This week, Senate Democrats reviewed legislation (S.359) that would impose an ethics code on the Supreme Court and add new disclosure and recusals requirements for the justices. The legislation was prompted by reports that Justice Clarence Thomas did not disclose luxury trips or a real estate transaction with a billionaire GOP donor; that Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. did not disclose a private jet flight that was provided by a hedge fund billionaire; and that Justice Sonia Sotomayor used court staff to advance book sales. Republicans are firmly opposed, and Sen. Graham (R-SC) argues that the legislation is part of a "concentrated effort" to undermine the court more broadly.