Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2023

Hozzl · 2023-12-15T16:05:53Z

Explore the details of Senate Bill 359 Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2023 currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Law. Stay informed on legislative developments.

12/15/2023, 4:05 PM

Summary of Bill S 359

Bill 118 s 359, also known as the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2023, aims to address concerns regarding ethics, recusal, and transparency within the United States Supreme Court. The bill seeks to establish guidelines and procedures to ensure that Supreme Court justices adhere to high ethical standards and maintain impartiality in their decision-making processes.

One key provision of the bill is the requirement for Supreme Court justices to disclose any financial conflicts of interest that may arise in cases before the Court. Justices would be required to recuse themselves from cases in which they have a financial stake, in order to uphold the integrity of the Court and ensure fair and unbiased rulings.

Additionally, the bill calls for increased transparency within the Supreme Court by requiring justices to provide written explanations for their recusal decisions. This would help to promote accountability and ensure that justices are held to a high standard of ethical conduct. Overall, the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2023 aims to strengthen the ethical standards of the United States Supreme Court and promote transparency in its decision-making processes. By establishing clear guidelines for recusal and requiring justices to disclose financial conflicts of interest, the bill seeks to uphold the integrity of the Court and maintain public trust in the judicial system.

Congressional Summary of S 359

Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2023

This bill makes various changes related to the ethical 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.

Additionally, the bill

expands the circumstances under which a Justice or judge must be disqualified; and
requires the Supreme Court and the Judicial Conference to establish procedural rules for prohibiting the filing of or striking an amicus brief that would result in the disqualification of a Justice, judge, or magistrate judge.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill S 359

Bill S 359 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 9, 2023. Bill S 359 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on February 9, 2023. Bill S 359's most recent activity was Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 199. as of September 5, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 359

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 359

Primary Policy Focus

Law

Potential Impact Areas

- Congressional oversight

- Employee performance

- Government ethics and transparency, public corruption

- Government information and archives

- Government studies and investigations

- Judges

- Supreme Court

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 359

Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2023

A bill to amend title 28, United States Code, to provide for a code of conduct for justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, and for other purposes.