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Congress·In Committee·10 months ago

Senate Bill Would Require Supreme Court Ethics Code, Gift Limits, and Public Complaint Process

Also known as: Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impacts

Negative Impacts(1)
Federal Employee
Hurts

Key Points

  • Would require the Supreme Court to create a written code of conduct within 180 days, with public notice and a chance for public comment.
  • Would put the Supreme Court’s ethics rules online in a searchable, downloadable format, so the public can more easily see the standards justices follow.
  • Would create a way for people to file ethics complaints about a Supreme Court justice, with complaints reviewed by a randomly picked panel of 5 chief circuit judges that can investigate and issue reports.
  • Would tighten when justices and other federal judges must step aside from cases, including when a party had lobbying contact with them or spent substantial funds supporting their nomination, or when certain gifts or income were received within the prior 6 years.
  • Would require more disclosure from parties and friend-of-the-court filers about gifts, income, reimbursements, and certain nomination-related lobbying, and would require audits and regular studies reported to Congress.
Civil RightsCriminal JusticeConsumer Protection

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
May 20, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

May 20, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Soon after the Act becomes law

Supreme Court and Judicial Conference start public process to write new ethics codes

People would be able to see and comment on proposed ethics rules before they are finalized, which can shape what conduct is allowed or banned.

No later than 180 days after enactment

Within 180 days of enactment, the Supreme Court issues a code of conduct for justices

A written, official set of ethics rules would exist specifically for Supreme Court justices, making expectations clearer to the public and to litigants.

No later than 180 days after enactment

Within 180 days of enactment, the Judicial Conference issues ethics code for other federal judges

Appeals, district, bankruptcy, and magistrate judges would be covered by an updated code issued through a public process.

No later than 180 days after enactment

Within 180 days of enactment, the Supreme Court creates a process for ethics complaints against justices

Individuals could file signed, sworn complaints, and repeat abuse of the system can be limited. Serious complaints could be investigated by a panel of circuit chief judges.

After complaint procedures are created

Judicial investigation panels begin reviewing and, when needed, investigating complaints

Some complaints could lead to public reports and recommendations, which can pressure changes in Court rules or conduct even if a justice is not formally punished.

After the code/rules are issued

Supreme Court posts ethics rules online in searchable, downloadable form

Regular people, journalists, and lawyers could more easily look up what the ethics rules say and what related guidance exists.

As soon as the law takes effect and courts update procedures

New disqualification (recusal) triggers start applying in federal courts

In more situations involving gifts, income, reimbursements, or nomination/confirmation spending and lobbying, a judge/justice would have to step aside, and parties must be notified when a potential conflict is discovered.

After enactment, once courts implement the new review setup

New process for reviewing disqualification motions begins (including staying cases during review)

If you file a supported motion to disqualify a judge, the case may pause while a separate panel reviews it, which can protect fairness but also slow the case.

No later than 1 year after enactment

Within 1 year of enactment, Supreme Court adopts rules forcing parties and amici to disclose certain gifts and lobbying support tied to justices

People and organizations bringing cases (and “friend of the court” filers) would have to add new disclosure sections to briefs, which could expose conflicts and increase compliance work.

Starting after enactment; recurring yearly/every other year

Annual amicus disclosure audits and every-other-year compliance studies begin producing reports

Over time, Congress and the public would get regular updates about how often judges step aside and whether courts are following the rules, which can drive further reforms.

Related News

2 articles
Courthouse News Service·over 1 year ago

Senate GOP blocks Supreme Court ethics bill

The SCERT Act would require the court to draft a binding code of ethics and make it available for public comment. The measure would also establish a review board composed of lower court judges that would adjudicate ethics complaints against the justices.

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Courthouse News Service·about 1 year ago

Dems demand Supreme Court follow through on push for binding ethics code

The SCERT Act would have used Congress' oversight authority to force the justices to adopt a binding code of conduct. The bill also would have established transparency standards for recusal and set up a review panel to consider ethics complaints against the high court.

C=

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2025

Bill NumberS 1814
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(27)
D: 26I: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.