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119-s-5618119th CongressWALLET

Judicial Ethics Enforcement Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

Introduced

Summary

Creates an Office of Inspector General for the judicial branch that would investigate alleged misconduct, audit judicial operations, and recommend changes to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. It also includes whistleblower protections and clear limits on probing judges' decisions or disciplining judges.

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  • Judges and courts: Would let the Office investigate alleged misconduct, conduct audits, issue subpoenas, and obtain information from judicial entities, but it could not review the merits of judicial decisions or punish judges.
  • Appointment and oversight: The Inspector General would be appointed by the Chief Justice after consultation with House and Senate leaders, serve a 4-year term with possible reappointment, report annually to the Chief Justice and Congress, and be funded by appropriations.
  • Workers, staff, and whistleblowers: Establishes protections against retaliation for people who provide information or assist investigations and allows civil lawsuits for victims of retaliation. The Office must inform the Attorney General if it has reasonable grounds to believe a federal crime was committed.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Whistleblower protections for court staff

If enacted, the bill would prohibit judicial branch employers, contractors, and agents from retaliating against employees who lawfully provide information or help investigations that could assist the Inspector General. Employees harmed by retaliation would be able to seek relief in a civil action.

New inspector general for the courts

If enacted, the bill would create an Office of Inspector General for the judicial branch to investigate alleged misconduct and audit court operations. The Chief Justice would appoint the Inspector General after consulting congressional leaders for a four-year term. The office would be able to obtain records, subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and refer suspected federal crimes to the Attorney General. The Inspector General would also be required to send annual and prompt reports to the Chief Justice and Congress and could hire staff under federal pay rules.

Funding and limits for inspector general

If enacted, the bill would bar the Inspector General from reviewing the merits of judges' decisions or disciplining judges or courts. Some investigations could only start after a circuit judicial council denied review or referred the matter to the Judicial Conference. The office would be allowed to hire outside contractors and pay for services only with money Congress provides in advance. Daily rates for certain contract services could not exceed the level IV Executive Schedule pay rate.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

CT • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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