WASHINGTON, DC — Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United, released the following statement in response to the reintroduction of the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency (SCERT) Act by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04):
“It’s a disgrace that the justices on the highest court in the land can flout basic ethics standards and maintain questionable ties to billionaires—without facing a single consequence—while their decisions reshape the lives of millions.
“The SCERT Act is the antidote to this unfettered corruption at the U.S. Supreme Court. It would force the Court to adopt and follow a much-needed code of ethics, creating a tough and enforceable standard of accountability. By ensuring full transparency around the justices’ ethical issues, Americans can be confident that the rulings and decisions don’t reflect those of billionaires and dark money special interests.
“We urge both the House and Senate to advance this critical legislation, and we thank Senator Whitehouse and Representative Johnson for their continued leadership in the fight against corruption and for judicial ethics and accountability.”
More about the SCERT Act:
This legislation makes various changes related to the ethics standards, financial disclosure requirements, and recusal requirements that apply to Supreme Court justices.
Among the changes, the bill requires the Supreme Court to:
- Adopt a code of conduct for justices and establish procedures to receive and investigate complaints of judicial misconduct;
- Adopt rules governing the disclosure of gifts, travel, and income received by the justices and law clerks that are at least as rigorous as the House and Senate disclosure rules; and
- Establish procedural rules requiring each party or amicus to disclose any gift, income, or reimbursement provided to justices.
Extensive polling and focus group research commissioned by End Citizens United shows that Americans across the political spectrum overwhelmingly back efforts to root out corruption in Washington. As hyperpartisanship deepens and overall trust in the federal government continues to erode, ECU’s research indicates that anti-corruption messaging proves especially effective at reaching independent voters who have grown disillusioned with both political parties.
###