Senate Democrat criticizes Alito’s claim that Congress lacks power to regulate Supreme Court.
Sen. Dick Durbin Condemns Justice Alito’s Argument on Congressional Authority
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) strongly criticized Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s recent remarks regarding Congress’ authority over the Supreme Court. This comes as Senate Democrats are pushing for ethics rules to be imposed on the court.
Durbin’s condemnation of Alito came after the justice gave an interview to the Wall Street Journal. The senator expressed his disapproval of Alito’s comments on the ethics reform bill, emphasizing that Alito is not a member of the United States Senate.
“Now, Justice Alito is providing speculative public commentary on a bill that is still going through the legislative process. Let’s be clear: Justice Alito is not the 101st member of the United States Senate,” Durbin said. “His intervention in Article I activity is unwise and unwelcome.”
As the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Durbin played a key role in advancing a Supreme Court ethics bill last month. The bill aims to establish a new code of conduct for justices and create a transparent process for submitting ethics complaints against court members. It also requires justices and law clerks to disclose gifts, travel, and income, similar to members of Congress.
Alito recently found himself defending his actions after accusations arose that he failed to disclose a vacation he took with GOP megadonor Paul Singer. Justice Clarence Thomas faced a similar accusation earlier this year.
In his interview, Alito asserted that Congress does not have the authority to regulate the Supreme Court, prompting Durbin to respond this week.
“I know this is a controversial view, but I’m willing to say it,” Alito stated. ”No provision in the Constitution gives them the authority to regulate the Supreme Court — period.”
Durbin and other Senate Democrats are determined to continue pushing for the ethics bill when they return from their August recess, with the Senate reconvening on Sept. 5.
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“The ethical conduct of Supreme Court Justices is a serious matter within this Committee’s jurisdiction. Ensuring ethical conduct by the justices is critical to the Court’s legitimacy,” Durbin emphasized.
“The next time Justice Alito thinks about taking a private plane to a billionaire-funded fishing trip,” he added, “he should have to ask more than ‘Can I take this empty seat?’ He should have to ask if doing so is consistent with his legally-mandated ethical obligations.”
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