Cindy Carr, cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to begin understanding how to strengthen public faith and confidence in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the only federal court in the country that lacks a formal set of ethical standards. Former Fourth Circuit Judge J. Michael Luttig, a conservative, submitted testimony to the Judiciary Committee this morning stating that the Supreme Court should “subject itself to the highest possible professional and ethical standards that would render the Court beyond reproach.”
The Sierra Club has previously supported the For the People Act, which includes a code of ethics for the Supreme Court.
In response, Sierra Club Democracy Program Director Courtney Hight issued the following statement:
“The Sierra Club thanks Senator Durbin and the Senate Judiciary Committee for holding today’s hearing and beginning this critical conversation about our nation’s highest court. The Supreme Court is the final arbiter of many of our civil rights, human rights, environmental protections, and more. It’s imperative that the American people have faith and confidence in the integrity of the Court and its decisions. It’s past time for the Supreme Court to adopt a clear set of ethical standards that assure the public that its highest court is beyond reasonable reproach.
“We look forward to the Senate continuing this process and call for additional hearings.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.