Reps. Weiner and Murphy: Force Politicized Supremes to Recuse Themselves

[cal04]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/reps-weiner-and-murphy-force-politicized-supremes-to-recuse-themselves.php?ref=fpi

Taking up progressive complaints that the Supreme Court has become dangerously politicized, Reps. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) are introducing legislation that could require justices to recuse themselves in certain cases.

"The problem is the only person who can decide whether Justice Thomas can recuse himself is Justice Thomas," Murphy told reporters at a press conference outside the Capitol. "That's wrong and that needs to change."

The bill would allow the Judicial Conference, which determines standards of recusal for federal judges, to examine Supreme Court members as well and create guidelines for determining a conflict of interest. They could even force members to step down from certain cases if they determined a procedure for such a move. The bill would also require members to offer an explanation if they decide to recuse themselves voluntarily as to why they declined to judge a case.

(snip)
Weiner said that the Thomas family's political connections endangered the credibility of the court.

[fasttense]

1. I'm sure a well placed legal decision by the dancing supremes will

find such a law unconstitutional.

[pacalo]

2. Because justices are appointed for LIFE, there should be a record of all their

affiliations, whether personal, financial, or political, then reviewed before each docket. Nothing complicated about that & certainly not unreasonable; in fact, Justices Scalia & Thomas have shown why doing so is so vital.