As Supreme Court Begins its Term Today, Norton Introduces Resolution Urging the Court to Adopt Same Ethics Guidelines as Other Federal Judges

Statement

To mark the first day of the United States Supreme Court's new term, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a resolution calling on Supreme Court Justices to make themselves subject to the existing and operative ethical guidelines set out in the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges or create their own rules.

"Each year, the Supreme Court decides the landmark cases that take our country in new directions, from Brown v. Board of Education, barring state-sponsored racial discrimination, to Obergefell v. Hodges, recognizing the right of same-sex marriage," Norton said. "As the last and final word, the nine justices can be more powerful than the president and the Congress. Yet, the justices do not submit to even the ethical standards required of other federal judges. Just last week, Justice Neil Gorsuch gave a speech at the Trump International Hotel, which is now in litigation alleging violation of the Constitution and could reach the Supreme Court for decision. Adopting ethical standards would guard against ethical concerns and would strengthen public trust. Supreme Court justices, who are unelected and serve lifetime appointments, cannot afford to give rise to even the appearance of ethical conflicts."

Source