We have now officially entered spooky season! Fall weather and horror movies are my jam, but the scariest thing on my mind is the start of the new term of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Tell Congress to Support the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act!
The legitimacy of our democracy rests upon the transparency of our government and the integrity of our judicial system. Questions regarding the ethical practices of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) have contributed to an erosion of public trust in the justices’ neutrality. There is justified concern that cases, particularly ones pivotal to the state of human rights and civil liberties, are not being decided in an impartial manner. Unlike all other federal judges, SCOTUS justices are not subject to a formal code of ethical conduct. This hinders the ability for full transparency, accountability, and fairness in one of our country’s most important and powerful institutions.
Democratic institutions should function within the standards of transparency and ethics. Federal judges should be making decisions that affect the lives and civil liberties of our communities in an independent, impartial, nonpartisan, and informed manner, and in a way that meets the needs of all Americans – including secular Americans.
Act today – urge Congress to support the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal and Transparency Act.
The Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act would establish a code of conduct for SCOTUS justices and federal judges, as well as institute SCOTUS gift, reimbursement, and income disclosure requirements. The bill would require recusal under specified circumstances, such as if a party to the proceeding lobbied or spent substantial funds to get a judge or justice confirmed. This legislation also imposes on justices and judges a ‘duty to know’ their and their family’s financial interests that may be substantially affected by a case, and ‘duty to notify’ parties of a proceeding of conditions that could require disqualification. This bill also establishes review panels for consideration of motions to disqualify, among other important changes.
