[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 123 (Monday, July 29, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S5531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                           U.S. Supreme Court

  Madam President, on the second issue of the Supreme Court, the 
Republican leader of the Senate just characterized the Supreme Court as 
the ``crown jewel'' of American government. The ``crown jewel,'' those 
are the words that he used.
  Let me ask you if you think this reflects a crown jewel: When one 
Justice on the Supreme Court receives $4 million in undisclosed gifts 
from billionaires, does that reflect the crown jewel of our 
Constitution and our government? I think not. No other Federal judge 
could get by with what Clarence Thomas did to receive millions of 
dollars' worth of travel and gifts and not report them publicly.
  I don't accept that as routine. I think it is an aberration and 
reflects poorly on the Court and its integrity. It is time for change. 
President Biden is saying that today. I will study his detailed 
suggestion, but I certainly agree with him that the nine people serving 
on the U.S. Supreme Court should not be treated differently than any 
other Federal judges when it comes to transparency and accountability 
for their actions.
  If the Court is going to have any credibility when it comes to its 
decisions, it must reflect that in its actions. Receiving and failing 
to report gifts of that magnitude is an embarrassment to the whole 
Nation. Republicans should get on board a bipartisan effort. We passed 
an ethics bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee. It was authored by 
Senator Whitehouse of Rhode Island. It is pending on the calendar. It 
should be called this year; the sooner the better.
  An ethics code on the Supreme Court that applies the same standards, 
laws, and procedures to the highest Court in the land as we require of 
every other Agency in government, including every other court.