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WASHINGTON --- Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Representative James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin today introduced legislation in the Senate and House of Representatives to create an Inspector General for the Judicial Branch.
The Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act of 2009 includes language adopted by the House Judiciary Committee in the 109th Congress to address concerns raised during a House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing. The Senate and House bills are identical except that the House bill covers only the federal district and appellate courts while the Senate bill also allows the Inspector General to investigate alleged misconduct within the Supreme Court.
Grassley and Sensenbrenner said an independent watchdog for the federal Judiciary is an important way to promote credibility within the judicial branch of government. Reports have highlighted problems with the way the federal judiciary has handled complaints about judicial ethics and misconduct.
“An Inspector General can only help shed more light on the actions of the Judicial Branch. It’s time to allow the sun to shine in on the federal judiciary and keep it accountable to the American people,” Grassley said. “An Inspector General can help root out potential waste, fraud and abuse, which to me seems very positive for the federal judiciary.”
"The idea that no man is above the law is one that cannot be stressed enough," said Sensenbrenner. "It is truly ironic that on the very week this bill is introduced, the House of Representatives will consider legislation directing the Judiciary Committee to consider impeachment proceedings against a Louisiana judge. Creating an independent Inspector General for the Judicial Branch will help provide the American public with some peace of mind that there is oversight over those entrusted with the grave responsibility of interpreting the laws of the land."
Grassley is a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Sensenbrenner is the former chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
Summary of The Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act of 2009
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