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119-s-5121119th Congress

Supreme Court Ethics Act

Sponsored By: Senator Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

Introduced

Summary

Formal, enforceable ethics rules for the Supreme Court would require the Court to publish a code of conduct and create an independent Ethics Investigations Counsel to handle complaints and investigations. The bill also directs the Judicial Conference to issue a code for all federal judges.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Court ethics office and recusal transparency

If enacted, the Supreme Court would have to appoint an Ethics Investigations Counsel within 90 days after it issues a code of conduct. The Counsel would serve a renewable four-year term, could be removed only for cause, and would adopt rules to enforce the Court's code. The Counsel would accept reports electronically and by mail, investigate possible violations and other prejudicial conduct, hire staff with the Chief Justice's approval, and may retain outside lawyers. The Counsel would publish one public annual report describing information received and steps taken.

New ethics codes for judges and justices

If enacted, the Judicial Conference would have to issue a code of conduct for every federal judge within 1 year. If enacted, the Supreme Court would have to issue a code of conduct for each Justice within 1 year. Each code would at minimum incorporate the existing disqualification rules in 28 U.S.C. section 455.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

CT • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

  • Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

  • Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

  • Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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