Fix the Court executive director Gabe Roth released this statement following the introduction of the Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act in the U.S. Senate:

Creating an independent body with oversight over the federal judiciary makes more sense than maintaining the current system, in which judges and justices essentially police themselves.

With the nine refusing to adopt the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges, to which the rest of the federal judiciary is bound, a judicial inspector general could increase accountability at the high court by investigating questionable actions by the justices, such as failing to report a spouse’s income in a financial disclosure report or officiating at a same-sex marriage as a case on the issue remains open before the court.

With public confidence in the Supreme Court at a historic low, this is the type of legislation needed to ensure our public servants are fair and independent and held to the highest ethical standards.

Fix the Court applauds Sen. Grassley for introducing this bill and for his leadership in working to make the Supreme Court more open and accountable.