Rep. Chris Murphy: Thomas Gift Scandal ‘Undermine[s] The Integrity of The Entire Judiciary’

[deminks]

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/06/23/252255/murphy-letter-thomas/

ThinkProgress has obtained a draft letter Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT) circulated this morning to his fellow members of Congress asking the House Judiciary Committee’s leadership to hold a hearing on the Supreme Court Transparency and Disclosure Act, a bill that will end the Supreme Court’s immunity to judicial ethics laws. As Murphy’s letter explains, his bill addresses the bevy of recently revealed ethics scandals involving members of the Supreme Court, including the Clarence Thomas gifting scandal:

There have been alarming reports of justices – most notably Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito – attending political events and using their position to fundraise for organizations. These activities would be prohibited if the justices were required to abide by the Judicial Conference Code of Conduct, which currently applies to all other federal judges. On these issues the code is quite clear. Canon 4C states that “a judge should not personally participate in fund-raising activities, solicit funds for any organization, or use or permit the use of the prestige of the judicial office for that purpose.” Additionally, in Canon 5 the code states, “ judge must refrain from all political activity.” While we understand that the Supreme Court is unique by its very nature, we do not believe there should be one set of guidelines for Supreme Court justices and stricter standards for all others judges.

The Supreme Court possesses the incredible power to interpret or even strike down laws they deem inconsistent with the Constitution. America trusts them with this power because justices must come to each case without a personal or financial stake in the outcome. Recent revelations about Justice Thomas accepting tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of gifts from individuals and organizations who often have an interest in matters before the courts calls into question the Court’s impartiality. Canon 4D of the Code of Conduct incorporates regulations providing that “ judicial officer or employee shall not accept a gift from anyone who is seeking official action from or doing business with the court.” Yet Justice Thomas received a gift valued at $15,000 from an organization that had a brief pending before his Court at the very moment they gave him the gift. Incidents such as these undermine the integrity of the entire judiciary, and they should not be allowed to continue.

(snip)

Update

Murphy is now inviting the public to co-sign his letter. You can do so here.

http://www.chrismurphy.com/page/s/scotus-ethics-hearings

(end snip)

[babylonsister]

1. Recommend; this needs lots more eyes and attention. nt

[Denzil_DC]

2. K&R n/t

[CanonRay]

3. How long will it be before Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT) is caught up in a sex scandal?

Just wondering. He's taking on the sacred cow called Clarence Thomas.

[Bonhomme Richard]

4. My congressman. A decent guy now running for Senate. n/t

[bemildred]

5. Which ain't much to begin with. nt

[amborin]

6. kr

[sabrina 1]

7. Chris Murphy and Weiner had a bill in Congress

that would force more ethical behavior by SC justices. I wondered if Murphy would go forward and I am glad he is. He did not join the Dem leadership in asking for Weiner to step down. Probably knew it was a political hit by Clarence Thomas backers.

From Murphy's website regarding the legislation:

Murphy Unveils Legislation to Increase Transparency and Accountability at Supreme Court

Murphy was joined by Congressman Anthony Weiner (NY-9), Common Cause Program Vice President Arn Pearson and the Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron.

"Just because it is the highest court in the land doesn't mean the Supreme Court is above the need for transparency or beyond sometimes having the appearance of conflict," Rep. Anthony Weiner said. "This bill begins to address these concerns."

"The American people deserve to have confidence that the Supreme Court will give a fair and impartial hearing to the most important issues of the day, and that its decisions are based on law, not politics," said Arn Pearson, vice president of program for Common Cause. "It's time to hold Supreme Court justices accountable to the same ethics and disclosure rules as every other federal judge. The highest Court should not be held to the lowest standards."

He will need to watch his back which I'm sure he knows. So glad he is not allowing them to scare him into silence.