WASHINGTON — A request by Senate Democrats that Chief Justice John Roberts investigate possible ethics violations by Justice Clarence Thomas has instead been referred to a judicial panel, prompting a renewed request for Roberts to testify on the matter.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin said Saturday a request by him and the panel’s other Democrats that Roberts investigate a news report that Thomas accepted lavish trips from a Republican donor was referred to a committee of the Judicial Conference that deals with ethics and financial disclosures.
Durbin suggested the decision by the conference, which serves as the federal judiciary’s policymaking body, strengthens his case for asking Roberts to respond directly by testifying at a Judiciary Committee hearing scheduled for May 2.
