The Senate Judiciary Committee voted on Thursday to issue subpoenas to conservative activists Harlan Crow and Leonard Leo, as part of an investigation into ethics practices at the Supreme Court. Republican members of the committee walked out of the room during the vote, accusing Democrats of attempting to undermine the court. The investigation was launched after reports revealed the court had failed to properly disclose gifts and travel expenses from conservative groups. The committee is now requesting information from Crow and Leo, as part of a new ethics code that requires justices to disclose gifts and travel expenses and recuse themselves from cases in which they have a financial interest.
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Justice Samuel Alito has refused to recuse himself from an upcoming tax case involving lawyer David Rivkin, who had interviewed Alito in two articles published in The Wall Street Journal. Sen. Richard Durbin had questioned Alito's participation in the case, but Alito released a statement saying there was no valid reason for his recusal. This decision has strengthened the conservative majority on the Supreme Court, which is set to hear the case in the coming months.
House Democrats, led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have called for an investigation into Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for failing to disclose gifts and benefits from wealthy, politically active executives. The letter cites criticism from other members of Congress and calls for an investigation into Thomas’s actions, suggesting that if the court won’t reform itself, Congress should step in. The controversy has sparked a debate about ethics reform on the Supreme Court, and it remains to be seen whether the Attorney General will launch an investigation.
A coalition of Senate Democrats has urged Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to take action to ensure Associate Justice Samuel Alito recuses himself from cases involving regulation of the court. The request follows a report of an undisclosed luxury fishing trip with a Republican billionaire who later had cases before the court, as well as a column written by a former clerk of Alito's that raised further questions about the court's ethical standards. The Democrats are asking Roberts to ensure Alito recuses himself from any cases involving laws that regulate the High Court, and it remains to be seen how Roberts will respond.
Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester has announced her bid to replace retiring Sen. Tom Carper (D) in Delaware, making her the first woman and first African-American to represent the state in Congress. If elected, she would become the third Black woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate. Blunt Rochester is running on a platform of economic and social justice, and has vowed to fight for the rights of all Delawareans, as well as protecting the environment and ensuring access to quality, affordable healthcare.
This article discusses the upcoming release of the Supreme Court's annual financial disclosure reports, which come after senators sought to question a billionaire about lavish gifts he gave to a Supreme Court Justice. The senators have indicated that they are considering taking action against the billionaire and the Justice, and the financial disclosure reports will provide more information for them to consider.
Key takeaways: Michael D. Bopp, Harlan Crow’s attorney, has agreed to speak with staff members of the Senate Judiciary Committee about Crow’s relationship with Supreme…
Republican donor Harlan Crow has refused to provide information to Senate Judiciary Democrats about his relationship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, arguing that doing so would exceed Congress' authority and violate separation of powers principles. The request was made in response to questions about gifts Crow has given to Thomas that have not been disclosed, raising concerns about potential influence on Thomas' decisions. Crow's refusal is likely to fuel the controversy surrounding their relationship, with it yet to be seen if the committee will take any further action.