WASHINGTON, D.C. – Illinois’ senior U.S. Senator is among those that are asking for a full investigation now that media reports claim Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas didn’t disclose years of cruises and trips he took by a Republican party donor.
Senator Dick Durbin — as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee — has sent a letter to Chief Justice John Roberts saying Thomas’ move is “plainly inconsistent with the ethical standards the American people expect” of their justices.
“This is not the first time that members of this Committee have written you regarding concerns over the Supreme Court’s ethical standards,” writes Durbin. “Eleven years ago, several members of the Committee, including the current Chair, sent you the attached letter urging the Court to adopt a resolution stating that the Justices of the Court abide by the Judicial Conference’s Code of Conduct for United States Judges—a Code that binds every other judge in the federal judiciary.”
Durbin says the judiciary will hold hearings on the matter, and if Roberts doesn’t undertake an investigation, the Senate will resolve the matter through legislation.
Thomas has denied wrongdoing.
CLICK HERE to read the full letter (PDF).
