Senate Democrats attempted to pass a bill on Supreme Court ethics Wednesday but were blocked by Republicans who argue the measure targets conservative justices.
Democrats requested unanimous consent to pass legislation that would require the court adopt a new code of conduct, among other requirements. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., objected to the request, which is all that is needed to stop the move.
Senate Judiciary Chair Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., said on the floor that the court faces an “ethical crisis of its own design,” and cited more than a year of stories about the justices, including trips and other gifts taken by Justices Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Clarence Thomas that were not disclosed under federal ethics law.
