Senate Judiciary Committee Announces Plans to Hold Hearing to Address Need to Restore Confidence in Supreme Court’s Ethical Standards

The Senate Judiciary Committee has announced plans to hold a hearing in the coming days to address the need to restore confidence in the Supreme Court’s ethical standards. This announcement follows ProPublica’s reporting that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accepted over 20 years’ worth of luxury travel from a billionaire without disclosing it to the public.

In a letter to Chief Justice John Roberts, the 11 Democratic members of the Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Dick Durbin, urged Roberts to open an investigation into Thomas’ conduct. The letter stated that the Committee has a role to play in ensuring that the nation’s highest court does not have the lowest ethical standards.

Justice Thomas has denied any wrongdoing and has said he did not believe he had to disclose the trips. However, the Committee believes that the public has a right to know about the trips and that the Supreme Court should be held to the highest ethical standards.

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom that first reported on the story. The Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing will be an important step in restoring public confidence in the Supreme Court. It is expected to take place in the coming days.