WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) released the following statement after the Supreme Court announced the adoption of a binding code of conduct:

“It’s welcome news that the Supreme Court has taken the steps to draft and adopt its own code of conduct. The Court’s authority rests entirely upon its credibility and integrity and the American people want to know that there is a guidebook for occupying a seat on our nation’s highest court. This code of conduct will help rebuild the credibility gap that we have started to see in our highest judicial institution.

"While the Court’s code doesn’t go as far as we would have liked, it’s an important step in the right direction towards reestablishing public confidence in the judiciary.”

Earlier this year, King and Murkowski introduced bipartisan legislation that would require the Supreme Court to create its own code of conduct, and appoint an official to review potential conflicts and public complaints. Justices of the Supreme Court are currently the only federal judges not explicitly bound by a code of conduct which provides guidance on performance of their official duties and engagement in outside activities; the Executive and Legislative branches of government currently abide under similar processes to maintain accountability and public trust in institutions.

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