1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

I urge you to support the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2025, SB1814, which would establish the first comprehensive ethics standards for the Supreme Court. Unlike every other federal judge, Supreme Court justices currently operate without binding ethics requirements, creating a significant accountability gap that undermines public confidence in our judicial system. SB1814 addresses this problem by requiring the Supreme Court to adopt a formal code of conduct within 180 days of enactment. The bill mandates disclosure of gifts, income, and reimbursements for both justices and their law clerks, ensuring the public can identify potential conflicts of interest. It strengthens existing recusal standards by requiring justices to disqualify themselves when lobbying contacts have occurred, when parties or their affiliates have contributed over one hundred thousand dollars, or when personal or familial financial interests are at stake. The legislation creates meaningful accountability through a five-judge investigation panel composed of randomly selected chief judges from each circuit. This panel has authority to review complaints, hold hearings, take sworn testimony, and issue subpoenas. Parties to Supreme Court proceedings would gain the right to file formal disqualification motions, providing a mechanism to challenge judicial impartiality that currently does not exist. Transparency provisions require public website publication of all ethics rules and disqualification instances. The bill also addresses the influence of undisclosed money by requiring amicus curiae filers to reveal contributors representing three percent or more of their revenue and any contributions exceeding one hundred thousand dollars. The Federal Judicial Center would conduct biennial compliance studies, with the first due 180 days after enactment, while the Administrative Office of the United States Courts would perform annual audits. These oversight mechanisms ensure the ethics standards have real enforcement behind them. Supreme Court justices should be held to the same ethical standards as every other federal judge. I ask you to support SB1814 to restore accountability and public trust in our highest court.