Chief Justice John Roberts is being pushed by Democrats to address and clarify ethical standards at the Supreme Court. This is due to rising concerns about the lack of formal rules that dictate the conduct of Supreme Court justices when it comes to conflicts of interest, health issues, travel, speaking events, and more.
Leading the call is Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and several of his fellow Democrats. In a letter addressed to the Chief Justice, the senators highlighted the public’s interest in transparency with regards to the highest court in the land.
The lawmakers have raised several concerns, including that Supreme Court justices are not bound by the same code of conduct required of all other federal judges. They also pointed out the lack of rules surrounding recusal when justices have health issues or when they or their family members have financial interests related to a case.
The Democrats are requesting oversight hearings to discuss these concerns, to which Chief Justice Roberts has yet been reported to respond.
In his previous annual reports, Roberts has expressed his belief that every justice is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards. However, the current move underscores a growing concern among lawmakers about the need for formal rules and transparency to assure the public trust in the Supreme Court.
