Federal RuleAug 21
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DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-hr-1811119th CongressWALLET
Judicial Ethics Enforcement Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
Introduced
Summary
An independent Office of Inspector General for the federal judiciary would be created to strengthen integrity, accountability, and compliance by conducting audits, independent investigations, and reporting to the Chief Justice and Congress.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Whistleblower protections for court workers
If you work in the judicial branch, you would be protected from retaliation for reporting wrongdoing or helping an investigation. This would apply to officers, employees, agents, contractors, and subcontractors. If you are punished for speaking up, you could sue to get relief.
New watchdog for federal courts
This bill would create an independent Inspector General for the federal courts. The office would audit and investigate waste, fraud, abuse, and alleged misconduct, including violations of the Supreme Court Justices’ code of conduct. Some judge-misconduct cases could start only after a circuit council denies review or after a referral to the Judicial Conference. The Inspector General could subpoena records and witnesses and take sworn statements. The office would not be allowed to re-open the merits of court rulings or punish judges.
How the court watchdog runs
The Chief Justice would appoint the Inspector General after consulting congressional leaders. The IG would serve four years, could be reappointed, and could be removed only with reasons sent to Congress. The IG would give a yearly report to the Chief Justice and Congress, and report quickly on urgent matters; sensitive reports could be reviewed in closed session. The IG would also tell the Attorney General when there are reasonable grounds to believe a federal crime happened. The office could hire staff under civil service rules, pay experts up to the Level IV Executive Schedule daily rate, and contract for services if Congress provides the money.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
NM • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]
LA • D
Sponsored 9/28/2026
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
MO • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
RI • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]
MN • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]
MN • D
Sponsored 3/4/2025
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]
TX • D
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov