Calls for Supreme Court Ethics Reform Grow Amidst Controversy

Republicans and allies defending Justice Clarence Thomas against recent ethics lapses claims have cited examples of liberal Supreme Court justices making similar misjudgments or nondisclosures, making the case for bipartisan ethics reform. Advocates for reform say that the perception of ethical issues at the Supreme Court is a problem, and the court should take action itself. Legislation has been introduced that would require the Supreme Court to adopt a code of ethics similar to the one that binds lower court judges. Democrats have renewed calls for legislative action on a code of conduct, and former federal judges have testified that a code of conduct would provide a common framework for assessing the actions of justices.