U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts declined a request to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about how the court handles ethical issues in a letter Tuesday, but attached a "Statement on Ethics Principles and Practices" that he said is subscribed to by each of the current justices.
A bipartisan pair of senators filed a new bill this week to fill a multibillion-dollar hole in the federal government's "rip and replace" program created to help telecom providers remove equipment made by foreign-owned companies deemed risky to U.S. network security.
Senate Democrats advanced seven judges out of the Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support Thursday, approving pending nominees who earned Republican votes but holding over other judicial picks who don't have GOP backing, as Democrats continue to deal with the prolonged absence of ailing Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
Senate Democrats planned to press forward this week with an effort to temporarily replace ailing Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee and unstick some federal court nominees, but the plan already appeared doomed Monday as Republicans quickly rallied in opposition.
Two Democratic lawmakers and a watchdog organization called for inquiries into U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Friday, amplifying the push for investigations following recent reports about the justice's relationship and financial transactions with a wealthy Republican donor.