Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearing on SCOTUS ethics

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Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., gives an opening statement as Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee hold a hearing in response to recent criticism of the ethical practices of some justices of the Supreme Court Tuesday. Associated Press/Photo by J. Scott Applewhite

Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearing on SCOTUS ethics

On Tuesday, Committee Chair Sen. Dick Durbin said that lax ethical standards for justices had weakened public confidence in the court and that needed to change. While Senate Democrats demanded more oversight for the court, Republicans largely opposed the idea. Sen. Lindsey Graham called the hearing politically motivated.

Why is this hearing happening? Last month, ProPublica reported that Justice Clarence Thomas enjoyed free vacations for decades paid for by conservative billionaire Harlan Crow. Thomas did not disclose the gifts but has denied any wrongdoing, insisting the vacations were “personal hospitality” from a close friend. The Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed proposals that it should submit to independent oversight.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s report about how an internal probe into the leak of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision revealed security flaws but not the leaker’s identity.