The Supreme Court needs a code of ethics. Here's how we fix it.
We're watching the Supreme Court make decisions that touch every part of our lives — our bodies, our votes, our jobs, our rights, and our planet. And yet, it's the only branch of government that operates without a binding, enforceable code of ethics.
That's unacceptable, and it has to change.
Headline after headline makes it painfully clear that we need stronger accountability and transparency. When Supreme Court Justices do not disclose lavish vacations, loans, private jet flights, and more from powerful people with business before the Court, it sends a message that justice is for sale. The American people should never have to question whether a Justice's decisions are influenced by undisclosed gifts, political interests, or personal gain.
That's why I cosponsored Senator Whitehouse's Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency (SCERT) Act — legislation that would end this corruption and put real, ethical guardrails in place for the highest court in the land. It's simple: Supreme Court Justices should follow ethics rules at least as strict as those that apply to every other federal judge. It's past time for real rules and real accountability.
The SCERT Act would:
- Require the Supreme Court to adopt a binding code of conduct
- Create a process to investigate violations of that code
- Strengthen recusal standards and require public explanations
- Increase transparency around gifts, travel, and income
Trust in our democracy depends on the integrity of our institutions, and right now, the Supreme Court is failing that test. This bill is a necessary step toward restoring that trust.
I know you're with me in fighting for a government that puts people over powerful interests. Let's get this done.
Onward!
Jeff
