Supreme Court Sidesteps Congress and Calls for Ethics Code

Chief Justice John Roberts opted for the status quo over conciliation in declining a Senate invitation to testify about Supreme Court ethics.

Roberts’ letter Tuesday to Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) cited separation of powers and judicial independence in refusing to appear before the committee. An accompanying “Statement on Ethics Principles and Practices” signed by all nine justices suggested a united front on the court, one that’s in favor of continuing to police itself.

“To my mind the chief justice’s letter underscored that the chief justice is pretty confident that no one’s going to call his bluff,” said Leah ...