Supreme Court Ethics Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (23 Jul 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
What this bill does
The Supreme Court Ethics Act would require the Judicial Conference of the United States, within one year of enactment, to issue a code of conduct applying to all federal judges, and would separately require the Supreme Court to issue its own code of conduct for justices within the same timeframe. Both codes would have to incorporate, at minimum, the existing disqualification standards found in section 455 of title 28. Within 90 days after the Supreme Court issues its code, the Court would be required to appoint an Ethics Investigations Counsel, serving renewable four-year terms and removable for cause, to create enforcement rules, accept public complaints (electronically and by mail), investigate potential violations, and issue an annual public report on findings and any resulting actions.
The bill also affects how recusal decisions are handled at the Supreme Court: justices who disqualify themselves from a case, or who deny a party's motion to disqualify them, would have to publicly explain their reasoning in the case record. These provisions would primarily affect Supreme Court justices and, more broadly, other federal judges through the Judicial Conference's code.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 23, 2026, by Senator Christopher Murphy and 14 cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. As an introduced bill, it has not yet received committee action, and would need to pass both the Senate and House and be signed into law before taking effect.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
23 Jul 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Common questions
- What does S. 5121 do?
- The Supreme Court Ethics Act would require the Judicial Conference of the United States, within one year of enactment, to issue a code of conduct applying to all federal judges, and would separately require the Supreme Court to issue its own code of conduct for justices within the same timeframe. Both codes would have to incorporate, at minimum, the existing disqualification standards found in section 455 of title 28. Within 90 days after the Supreme Court issues its code, the Court would be required to appoint an Ethics Investigations Counsel, serving renewable four-year terms and removable for cause, to create enforcement rules, accept public complaints (electronically and by mail), investigate potential violations, and issue an annual public report on findings and any resulting actions. The bill also affects how recusal decisions are handled at the Supreme Court: justices who disqualify themselves from a case, or who deny a party's motion to disqualify them, would have to publicly explain their reasoning in the case record. These provisions would primarily affect Supreme Court justices and, more broadly, other federal judges through the Judicial Conference's code. The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 23, 2026, by Senator Christopher Murphy and 14 cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. As an introduced bill, it has not yet received committee action, and would need to pass both the Senate and House and be signed into law before taking effect.
- Has S. 5121 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 5121. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 5121?
- S. 5121 was sponsored by Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT] (D-CT), with 14 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5121?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (23 Jul 2026).
Related bills in Law
Criminal History Access Act of 2026
Speak Your Truth Act
Executive Settlement Review Act
Judicial Ethics Enforcement Act of 2026
More bills from Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
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Protecting our Students in Schools Act of 2026
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