1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

I strongly support the High Court Gift Ban Act introduced by Representatives Jamie Raskin and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. This legislation aims to address the unethical and unacceptable practice of Supreme Court justices accepting lavish gifts, often from entities with interests before the Court. The integrity and impartiality of the highest court in the land must be preserved by holding its members to the highest ethical standards. The bill proposes reasonable limits on gifts to Supreme Court justices, capping the value at $50 per instance and $100 annually, aligning with rules for members of Congress and federal officials. Additionally, it caps gifts of personal hospitality at around $18,000, closing a major loophole. These measures are crucial to prevent conflicts of interest and undue influence from wealthy donors and special interests. Recent reports have exposed justices accepting extravagant gifts like luxury vacations, private jet travel, and even boarding school tuition for relatives. This flies in the face of judicial ethics and undermines public faith in the Court's ability to rule impartially, free from personal gain or quid pro quo arrangements. The Supreme Court has repeatedly demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to police itself on ethics matters. Congress must therefore act to uphold the Court's integrity and reputation as a fair arbiter of justice, beholden only to the Constitution and the rule of law – not the machinations of the rich and powerful. I urge swift passage of the High Court Gift Ban Act as an essential step towards restoring accountability and ethical conduct at the nation's highest judicial body.