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119-s-3914119th Congress

Supreme Court Ethics and Investigations Act

Sponsored By: Senator Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

Introduced

Summary

Creates inside-Court ethics and investigative offices that would give Supreme Court justices regular ethics advice, require training and reporting, and allow investigators to subpoena witnesses and records.

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  • Justices and their spouses would get formal advice and biannual ethics training on gifts, financial disclosures, political activity, conflicts, and recusal.
  • An Investigative Counsel could review complaints from congressional leaders or Judiciary Committee leaders, decide within 60 days whether to investigate, and open full investigations within 15 days; investigators would have subpoena power to compel testimony and documents.
  • Both offices must report to Congress and to the Court: the Ethics Counsel sends an annual summary of advice and topics, and the Investigative Counsel delivers reports to the Chief Justice and relevant committees and must notify the Attorney General if a federal crime appears likely.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New Supreme Court Ethics Office

If enacted, the Chief Justice could create an Office of Ethics Counsel inside the Supreme Court. The Office would have a Chief Ethics Counsel and other counsels, none of whom may be Court employees on the enactment date. The Chief would serve up to two 6-year terms and earn at least $225,000 per year; other counsels could serve up to two 6-year terms and earn at least $180,000 per year. The Office would advise justices and their spouses on gifts, financial disclosure, political activity, conflicts and leaks, give each justice biannual training, and send an annual report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. The bill would also define "gift" and "political activity" for the Office’s advice and reporting.

New Supreme Court Investigations Office

If enacted, the Chief Justice could create an Office of Investigative Counsel inside the Supreme Court. The Office would have a Chief Investigative Counsel and at least two investigative counsels, none of whom may be Court employees on the enactment date. The Chief would serve one 6-year term and earn at least $225,000 per year; other investigators would earn at least $180,000 per year. Certain congressional leaders and Judiciary Committee chairs or ranking members could file complaints. The Office must screen complaints within 60 days, open full investigations within 15 days if warranted, issue findings and remedies to the Chief Justice, and give completed reports to specified congressional committees within 10 days. The Chief Investigative Counsel would have subpoena power and must notify the Attorney General if a federal crime may have occurred.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

NJ • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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