Supreme Court Implements New Code of Conduct in Response to Congressional Calls for Ethics Reform
The Supreme Court has officially introduced a revised "Code of Conduct" in the wake of persistent calls from Senate Judiciary Democrats for enhanced ethics regulations within the high court. This move comes after months of intense scrutiny and debate over the ethical standards governing the actions of Supreme Court Justices.
Announced on Monday, the new Code is designed to consolidate and clearly define the ethical guidelines that the Justices are expected to follow. "The Justices of this Court, contrary to some public perceptions, are not exempt from ethics rules. To clarify this and address recent misunderstandings, we are issuing this Code, which largely formalizes long-standing principles we have always considered as guiding our conduct," the statement from the Court explained.
The updated Code comprises five "canons," including two new additions that seem to be direct responses to controversies involving Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas regarding travel financed by external parties, and the use of Court staff for the promotion of Justice Sonia Sotomayor's book.
Specifically, the Code stipulates that Justices should minimize the use of judicial chambers, resources, or staff for non-official functions, except as permitted under the Canons. It also outlines that Justices may receive reasonable compensation and expense reimbursements for permitted activities, provided these payments do not appear to influence their official duties or seem inappropriate.
Additionally, the new guidelines detail that reimbursement should cover only the actual or reasonably estimated costs of travel, food, and lodging for the Justice and, when relevant, their spouse or relative.
Furthermore, the Code reaffirms the Justices' commitment to complying with financial disclosure statutes, a practice unanimously upheld by the current members of the Court.
This development follows months of private meetings among the Justices, aimed at devising an ethics code that addresses public ethical concerns while maintaining the Court's independence from Congressional oversight. Justices Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett had all publicly expressed support for such a code in recent weeks.
Chief Justice Roberts, in a statement endorsed by all nine Justices in May, acknowledged the need for the Court to "adhere to the highest ethical standards." This acknowledgment came amidst relentless pressure from Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats, who reacted strongly to reports of Justices Thomas and Alito accepting luxury trips funded by friends.
While Republicans like Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Senator John Kennedy, R-La., criticized the Democrats' efforts as attempts to undermine the Court's legitimacy, it remains to be seen whether the Committee Democrats will persist with their reform initiatives in light of the Supreme Court's latest announcement.
