Legis Daily

Supreme Court Ethics Act

USA119th CongressS-5121| Senate 
| Updated: 7/23/2026
Christopher Murphy

Christopher Murphy

Democratic Senator

Connecticut

Cosponsors (14)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The bill requires the Judicial Conference of the United States to issue a code of conduct for all federal judges within one year, incorporating existing ethical requirements. Concurrently, the Supreme Court must also issue its own code of conduct for justices, similarly based on existing standards, within the same timeframe. This aims to standardize and formalize ethical guidelines across the entire federal judiciary. Furthermore, the legislation establishes an Ethics Investigations Counsel for the Supreme Court, to be appointed within 90 days of the Court issuing its code of conduct. This counsel will serve a renewable four-year term, investigate potential code violations, receive public complaints, and publish an annual report detailing its activities. Additionally, Supreme Court justices will be required to publicly disclose the specific reasons for their recusals in proceedings or for denying motions seeking their disqualification. These measures are designed to significantly increase transparency and accountability regarding judicial ethics.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-393
Supreme Court Ethics Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2512
Supreme Court Ethics Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-325
Supreme Court Ethics Act
Jul 23, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jul 23, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-393
    Supreme Court Ethics Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2512
    Supreme Court Ethics Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-325
    Supreme Court Ethics Act


  • July 23, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 23, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Supreme Court Ethics Act

USA119th CongressS-5121| Senate 
| Updated: 7/23/2026
The bill requires the Judicial Conference of the United States to issue a code of conduct for all federal judges within one year, incorporating existing ethical requirements. Concurrently, the Supreme Court must also issue its own code of conduct for justices, similarly based on existing standards, within the same timeframe. This aims to standardize and formalize ethical guidelines across the entire federal judiciary. Furthermore, the legislation establishes an Ethics Investigations Counsel for the Supreme Court, to be appointed within 90 days of the Court issuing its code of conduct. This counsel will serve a renewable four-year term, investigate potential code violations, receive public complaints, and publish an annual report detailing its activities. Additionally, Supreme Court justices will be required to publicly disclose the specific reasons for their recusals in proceedings or for denying motions seeking their disqualification. These measures are designed to significantly increase transparency and accountability regarding judicial ethics.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-393
Supreme Court Ethics Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2512
Supreme Court Ethics Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-325
Supreme Court Ethics Act
Jul 23, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jul 23, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-393
    Supreme Court Ethics Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2512
    Supreme Court Ethics Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-325
    Supreme Court Ethics Act


  • July 23, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 23, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Christopher Murphy

Christopher Murphy

Democratic Senator

Connecticut

Cosponsors (14)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted