Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett Expresses Support for Adopting a Code of Conduct

The Supreme Court is one step closer to adopting a code of conduct, with Justice Amy Coney Barrett expressing her support for the measure on Monday. Speaking at the University of Minnesota Law School, Barrett said it would be “a good idea for us do it” and suggested that the justices are broadly in support of a set of principles similar to those that lower court judges are required to follow.

The call for a code of conduct has grown louder in recent months, with Congress pushing for the Supreme Court to lay out a binding set of policies. Barrett’s support for the measure adds to that of several of her colleagues who have already publicly backed the idea.

“I think it would be a good idea for us to do it, particularly so that we can communicate to the public exactly what it is that we’re doing in a clearer way than perhaps we have been able to do so far,” Barrett said.

The Supreme Court is not currently bound by a code of conduct, though the justices are required to follow existing rules such as the requirement that they recuse themselves from cases in which they have a conflict of interest.

It is unclear when the Supreme Court might adopt a code of conduct, or what it would look like. However, Barrett’s support for the measure is a significant step forward in the process. It is likely to be welcomed by those who have been pushing for greater transparency and accountability from the nation’s highest court.