Supreme Court Code of Conduct Mandate Advanced by Senate Panel

Legislation requiring the Supreme Court adopt a binding code of conduct was approved by a Senate committee, a measure pushed by majority Democrats and fueled by controversy about alleged ethical lapses.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11-10 in favor of the bill (S. 359) on Thursday. No Republicans backed it in committee, and both sides indicated the lack of bipartisan support would doom its prospects for passage.

Still, Democrats promoted the proposals as urgently necessary to improve transparency at the conservative-led court that’s resisted calls over the years, including from a few Republicans, to take steps on its own to ...