'We clearly can't trust you to police yourselves': Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) on Supreme Court
Channel: indianz
Date: 02/05/2023

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) discusses efforts to bring accountability to the U.S. Supreme Court on May 2, 2023.

Padilla is a co-sponsor of the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency (SCERT) Act. The bill would impose an enforceable set of standards on justices of the highest court in America.

"The highest court in the land should not be subject to the lowest ethical standards," Padilla said during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol.

Padilla spoke moments before a Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing titled "Supreme Court Ethics Reform." Democratic lawmakers invited Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. to testify at the proceeding -- but he declined.

"Actions speak louder than words, and so what we're saying at today's hearing is we clearly can't trust you to police yourselves, so Congress will have to do it for you," said Padilla, a member of the committee.

"I was disappointed as many of us were to learn that Chief Justice Roberts chose not to testify at our hearing today -- just further evidence at their resistance, because ultimately, the oversight that we're demanding will help the court restore its integrity and its credibility with the American people," Padilla added.

The Supreme Court heard three Indian law cases during its current term. Decisions are pending in all three -- including a closely-watched case that will determine whether tribes can continue to protect their children through the Indian Child Welfare Act.

The SCERT Act:
https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-cosponsors-legislation-to-ensure-accountability-and-create-enforceable-ethics-standards-in-the-supreme-court/

Senate Committee on the Judiciary Notice:
https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-activity/hearings/supreme-court-ethics-reform

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