Opinion by Greg Sargent: Finally, a bipartisan response to the Clarence Thomas fiasco emerges
Talk of imposing specific rules on justices while also mandating an enforcement mechanism regularly draws criticism that it would violate the Constitution’s separation of powers. The King-Murkowski proposal appears designed to circumvent that objection.
By requiring the court to clearly state when self-imposed rules have been violated and to reveal what disciplinary action it took, the proposal would remain largely faithful to the oft-praised principle that the court’s own internal pressures should maintain its standards. But it also would give the public a clear glimpse into those inner workings and give lawmakers more information about any violations, enabling Congress to act on its own with clearly defined powers such as impeachment.
that would require the Judicial Conference of the United States to create an ethics code for the court and appoint counsel to run investigations, policing the court from the outside. But even so, the King-Murkowski proposal, if it passed, might compel the court to adopt an ethical code commensurate with thatTo be sure, it’s hard to imagine the proposal passing. Democrats are often skittish about exercising oversight on the judiciary. Republicans view any talk of ethics reform as an assault on their grand project of taking over the courts.
But recall that a wide bipartisan majority backed fixes to the Electoral Count Act. Occasionally, reforms happen if it can be sold as merely shoring up the integrity of institutions and doesn’t trigger negative partisanship.This Supreme Court reform is similar. If lawmakers can’t support requiring the court to police itself, what can they support? As congressional scholar Josh Chafetz told me, “if there’s any Supreme Court ethics bill that can pass the Senate, it would be this.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Clarence Thomas and Democratic FecklessnessDemocrats are scared: scared of losing, scared of rocking the boat, scared of recognizing the gravity of the situation, scared of doing something about it. Their fears will cost us.
Read more »
Neil Gorsuch property deal adds scrutiny following Clarence Thomas scandalClarence Thomas isn't the only Supreme Court justice with an eyebrow-raising property deal. (via Deadline: Legal Blog)
Read more »
Only Two (2) Senators Have Called on Clarence Thomas to ResignHow is this number not much higher, given recent reports of the Supreme Court justice's egregious and blatant corruption?
Read more »
Senator calls for Clarence Thomas to resign: 'unsalvageable''I will say what needs to be said. Clarence Thomas should resign from the Supreme Court of the United States,' Senator Ed Markey said.
Read more »
Senators seek answers as Clarence Thomas’ ethics mess intensifiesAs Justice Clarence Thomas' ethics mess grows more serious, the questions on Capitol Hill are growing louder. Will senators get answers or not?
Read more »