Sponsors (11)
Introduced February 25, 2026 by Daniel Goldman · Last progress February 25, 2026
The bill creates a professional, transparent investigative and advisory ethics office for the Supreme Court that increases accountability and enforcement but concentrates appointment power in the Chief Justice, narrows who can file complaints, and imposes new taxpayer costs.
Supreme Court justices and the public gain a formal, independent investigative office with subpoena power and qualified counsel to investigate alleged ethics violations, strengthening enforcement and professionalizing oversight.
Congress and taxpayers gain stronger transparency and oversight because the Office must provide completed reports to Congress quickly and issue regular reports to House and Senate Judiciary Committees.
Supreme Court justices and their spouses receive regular, expert ethics advice on gifts, financial disclosures, recusals, and political activity, which should reduce conflicts of interest and inconsistent practices.
The Chief Justice has sole authority to create the Office and appoint (with for-cause removal protection) key counsel, concentrating control within the Court and potentially limiting external checks on the Office.
Members of the public and potential whistleblowers are limited in access because only a small set of congressional leaders may file complaints, narrowing public filing rights and raising risks of politicization.
Taxpayers will fund new recurring salaries and administrative costs for the Office (minimum listed salaries: chief ~$225,000; other counsels ~$180,000) plus staff and reporting expenses, increasing federal spending.
Based on analysis of 8 sections of legislative text.
Creates independent ethics and investigative offices for the Supreme Court, sets hiring/term/pay rules, gives investigators subpoena power, and requires reports to Congress.
Establishes two new, separate offices for the Supreme Court: an Office of Ethics Counsel to advise justices (and their spouses) on ethics rules and an Office of Investigative Counsel to review and investigate ethics complaints. The law sets hiring rules, minimum pay, term limits, training, subpoena power for investigators, limits who may file complaints, and requires reports to Congress and referrals to the Justice Department for suspected crimes.