Durbin Statement on Reports of Justice Clarence Thomas’ Acceptance of Undisclosed Luxury Gifts from Republican Megadonor

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on reports of 20 years’ worth of undisclosed gifts and troubling ethical conduct by Justice Clarence Thomas:

“The highest court in the land shouldn’t have the lowest ethical standards.  Today’s Pro Publica report reveals that Justice Thomas has for years accepted luxury travel on private yachts and jets and a litany of other gifts that he failed to disclose.  This behavior is simply inconsistent with the ethical standards the American people expect of any public servant, let alone a Justice on the Supreme Court.

“Today’s report demonstrates, yet again, that Supreme Court Justices must be held to an enforceable code of conduct, just like every other federal judge.  The Pro Publica report is a call to action, and the Senate Judiciary Committee will act.”

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