House Democrats Push Bill Establishing Inspector General to Oversee Supreme Court
Critics worry move by congressional Democrats could dissolve separation of powers
House Democrats have introduced a bill Thursday that would enforce “accountability” of the Supreme Court by establishing an Office of the Inspector General within the Judicial branch to oversee Supreme Court Justices.
The “Judicial Ethics Enforcement Act of 2024″ co-sponsored by Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) seeks to create “effective oversight” of the Supreme Court to “restore public trust” in the institution.
“It’s essential that Americans have confidence that our judicial system is fair, impartial, and independent from inappropriate external influences,” Schiff said in a statement. “The Judicial Ethics Enforcement Act of 2024 is designed to ensure that Supreme Court Justices, who should be expected to meet the most basic ethical standards, are subject to effective accountability through oversight by the Office of the Inspector General. I am grateful to Representative Stansbury for spearheading this vital initiative to preserve the integrity of America’s courts.”
Stansbury claimed the legislation is necessary because “Americans have lost trust in the Supreme Court.”
“Strong judicial ethics are critical to a free and democratic society. Safeguarding these fundamentals is necessary to ensuring we restore faith in our democracy and our institutions, and an Inspector General will hold the Justices internally accountable to the highest ethical standards to protect the Court from special interest groups looking to strip Americans of their rights to protect their personal agendas,” she said.
Specifically, the bill would:
- Create an Office of the Inspector General within the Judicial branch.
- Authorize the Inspector General to conduct investigations of alleged violations of the Code of Conduct for Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States.
- Authorize the powers and limitations of the Office of the Inspector General when investigating the Court.
- Structure the duties of the Inspector General which would include conducting and supervising audits and investigations, preventing and detecting waste, fraud, and abuse; and recommending changes in laws or regulations relating to the code of conduct adopted by the Supreme Court.
- Require the Inspector General to make prompt reports to the Chief Justice and to Congress on matters that may require action by the Chief Justice or Congress.
- Require the Inspector General to report expeditiously to the Attorney General whenever the Inspector General has reasonable grounds to believe there has been a violation of Federal criminal law.
- Require the Inspector General to provide an annual report to both the House of Representatives and the Senate on the results of their investigations.
- Set appointments, term limits and removals of the inspector general.
- Provide protection for whistleblowers.
Left-leaning group Center for Popular Democracy hailed the move, suggesting Roe v Wade was overturned because the Supreme Court is “controlled by ultraconservative justices.”
“CPD is proud to endorse the Judicial Ethics Enforcement Act and fight for the checks and balances this nation was founded upon,” said CPD Co-Executive Directors Analilia Mejia and DaMareo Cooper.
“Today’s Supreme Court is controlled by ultraconservative justices buried deep in the pockets of special interest groups committed to stripping our freedoms. It’s high time we held the Court to an ethics code that forces them to act with the fairness their job demands.”
X owner Elon Musk pointed out that the involvement of Schiff — a serial liar who perpetuated the debunked Russia collusion hoax for years — suggests the bill is a “scam.”
“If it’s being pushed by Schiff it’s a scam,” Musk posted on X Saturday.
If it’s being pushed by Schiff it’s a scam
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 20, 2024
Others criticized the move as an effort to overturn the U.S. constitution’s separation of powers.
“So add an unelected body that oversees the supreme court, that answers to nobody. What could go wrong?” one user noted.
So add an unelected body that oversees the supreme court, that answers to nobody. What could go wrong? 🤦♂️
— Ryan HugeBrain🧠 (@RyanHugeBrain) April 19, 2024
Protect them from undue influence 😂😂😂 by exerting undue influence… 🤡 The Left is hopelessly out of control.
— Fire & Dirt (@fireanddirt) April 19, 2024
The Inspector general is appointed by the president.
— Oscar Herrera (@OscarEnjoylife) April 19, 2024
Any sitting president would be able to apply pressure to the Supreme Court justices
NO!
Unlike the inferior courts, the supreme court was established by the constitution, and congress is limited in what authority it has. There are nine people who get to decide whether they can do this and my bet is no.
— Cobra.Economics (@CobraEconomics) April 19, 2024
So the most unethical people in Washington DC are going to oversee Supreme Court Justices?
— DSF59 (@coralbeachhouse) April 19, 2024
It remains to be seen if Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson will put the bill to a vote, but given he’s effectively surrendered the House to the Democrats, a vote on this bill seems likely
