Grassley Bill Would Improve Oversight of the Federal Judiciary

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa introduced legislation creating an Inspector General for the judicial branch to provide greater oversight and uphold the constitutional checks and balances on the federal judiciary. The Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act would establish an independent office to investigate claims of fraud, waste and misconduct, and ensure that the judiciary is carrying out its duties free from corruption, bias and hypocrisy.

"Ensuring a fair and independent judiciary is critical to our constitutional system of checks and balances. An independent watchdog for the federal judiciary will help its members comply with the ethics rules and promote credibility within the judicial branch of government. This bill will not only help ensure continued public confidence in our federal courts and keep them beyond reproach, it will strengthen our judicial branch," Grassley said.

The Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act would establish an Office of Inspector General for the judicial branch, which would function in a similar fashion to that of inspectors general in federal agencies of the executive branch. The inspector general's responsibilities would include conducting investigations of possible judicial misconduct, investigating waste fraud and abuse, and recommending changes in laws and regulations governing the federal judiciary. The bill would also require the inspector general to provide the Chief Justice and Congress with an annual report on its activities, as well as to refer matters that may constitute a criminal violation to the Department of Justice. In addition, the bill establishes whistleblower protections for judicial branch employees. The inspector general's office would not be allowed to render judgement on individual cases decided by the courts.

In recent years, the Senate has received articles of impeachment for two federal judges after criminal investigations brought their misconduct to light. Last fiscal year, Congress appropriated nearly $7 billion to the federal judiciary--as much as some agencies that have an inspector general. An inspector general for the judicial branch would provide a backstop for the current practice of self-regulating judges and protect taxpayer dollars from waste and misuse.

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