John, Supreme Court justices just got the green light to continue being wined and dined by billionaires, special interests, and big corporations – and now they don’t even have to disclose most of it to the public!
That’s right: despite public outcry over Justice Clarence Thomas accepting luxury trips from conservative billionaire Harlan Crow, the Judicial Conference – which oversees federal courts – just made it easier for wealthy donors to secretly influence our highest court. [1]
We deserve the full truth about the lavish gifts megadonors provide justices with – and what, if anything, they expect to get in return.
With your help, we can uncover their attempts to curry favor with justices by passing a strong Supreme Court Code of Conduct to hold justices to the same high ethical standards as every other federal judge.
If you agree megadonors should not be able to buy influence over our highest court at our expense, join me in calling on Congress to pass a strong, binding Supreme Court Code of Conduct.
John, as you well know, public trust in the Supreme Court is at a historic low. [2]
With scandal after scandal, it’s no surprise why – everyone can agree that there’s something fishy about billionaires with business before the Court providing justices with lavish gifts and vacations. Keeping the public in the dark will NOT help rebuild that trust.
And the simple truth is, these new loosened rules would likely allow Justice Thomas to get away with hiding several of his previous stays at Harlan Crow’s properties. [1]
We deserve better than this. With the stroke of a pen, the Supreme Court makes far-reaching decisions on reproductive rights, environmental protections, the freedom to vote, and so much more – affecting millions of people every day.
We deserve full transparency and a Court that makes decisions based on the pursuit of law and justice – not the wishes of their billionaire friends.
We need you with us to keep the pressure up. Add your name to urge Congress to finally pass a REAL, enforceable Supreme Court Code of Conduct.
Thanks for all you do,
Aaron Scherb, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs
and the team at Common Cause
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-justices-other-judges-can-stay-corporate-owned-homes-without-2024-09-24/
[2] https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/08/08/favorable-views-of-supreme-court-remain-near-historic-low/
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