**DISCLAIMER: This article was first published in December of 2022**
It seems the House Judiciary Committee has no intention of letting the corrupt United States Supreme Court get away with maintaining a complete lack of ethics and accountability in their practices.
According to a report from The Hill, the House Committee has advanced an ethics bill that would “create a code of conduct that would apply to both the justices and their employees.” It’s become increasingly clear over the last several months that the Supreme Court is severely lacking in the ethics department, as the country reels over the leaked opinion draft seeking to abolish Roe V. Wade, and the scandal surrounding Justice Clarence Thomas specifically — the former of which has now been officially overturned.
The ethics bill is now on its way to the full House for consideration after passing party lines by a 22-16 vote. According to Bloomberg Law, as it stands, the US Supreme Court justices are the only judges in the federal judiciary who do not stand subject to ethics policies.
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Shortly following the advancement of the new ethics legislation, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said, “recent ethical lapses by justices appointed by presidents from both parties underscores the urgent need of this legislation.”
Nadler went on to add, “The Supreme Court is one of the nation’s most vital institutions and its fidelity to equal and impartial justice, as well as the public’s faith in the integrity of the judiciary, are foundational to maintaining the rule of law.”
The chairman included a clear-cut jab at the Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee, confirming that every single one of them voted in opposition to “creating a commonsense ethics standard for our nation’s highest court.”
Nadler when on to point out that the recent scandal surrounding Justice Thomas and his refusal to recuse himself from a case regarding his wife’s involvement in things that took place on and surrounding January 6th and the infamous Capitol attack was picture proof of why such legislation is desperately necessary for the US Supreme Court.
The committee chairman said he finds it “shocking” that any member of the United States Congress would stand in opposition to a bill that creates a code of ethics for the Supreme Court, which he says is absolutely consistent with the standards followed by other public officials for the Supreme Court.
“Republicans on this committee have voted against greater accountability and transparency at one of our nation’s most secretive, but consequential, institutions. Democrats will continue our work to strengthen the judiciary system through commonsense ethics reforms so the American people can have faith in the impartiality of our federal judges and justices.”
But wouldn’t you know, the GOPers are already pitching a fit.
Controversial Ohio House Rep. Jim Jordan pushed back against the Supreme Court ethics bill, stating, “this isn’t about ethics. This is an insurance policy for them when things don’t go their way. They want to have the tools at their disposal to make life hard for the justices. Whether that means seeking recusals, seeking impeachment or just showing up at their house and protesting.”
Justice Clarence Thomas is currently under heavy scrutiny after text messages obtained by the January 6th House Select Committee determined that his wife, Ginni Thomas, has sent messages to Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, urging Meadows to find a way to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
This development, of course, raises serious questions of ethics and accountability with regard to Justice Thomas participating in rulings related to the Capitol insurrection, that January 6th panel’s investigation, and the 2020 election.
Featured image via screen capture
