A Democratic bill with 13 Democratic cosponsors · See all 13 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill creates an Office of Inspector General specifically for the judicial branch of the government. The Inspector General is appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States after consulting with congressional leaders. This new office is tasked with investigating misconduct, handling violations of the Supreme Court's Code of Conduct, and preventing waste, fraud, and abuse. The bill gives the Inspector General powers to conduct audits, hold hearings, issue subpoenas, and report findings to both the Chief Justice and Congress. It also establishes strict whistleblower protections for judicial branch employees who assist in these investigations.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates annual reports to the Chief Justice and Congress regarding the activities and findings of the Inspector General.
- Scored +4
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill provides specific legal protections for employees who assist in investigations of misconduct or violations of law.
- Scored +3
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill establishes an Office of Inspector General tasked with detecting and preventing waste, fraud, and abuse within the judicial branch.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Accountability and Oversight: Section 2 adds Section 1023 to title 28, which tasks the new office with investigating alleged misconduct in the judicial branch and alleged violations of the Code of Conduct for Supreme Court Justices. This brings much-needed oversight to a branch of government that historically has lacked an independent watchdog.
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Combating Waste and Fraud: Section 2 adds Section 1023(4), which directs the office to prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse. This helps ensure that taxpayer dollars supporting the judicial system are used properly and honestly.
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Whistleblower Protections: Section 2 adds Section 1026, which protects judicial branch employees from being fired, demoted, harassed, or discriminated against for lawfully assisting the Inspector General with investigations. This provision empowers everyday workers to speak up against wrongdoing without fear of losing their livelihoods.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Investigating Merits of Cases: Section 2 adds Section 1024(c)(1), which explicitly states that the Inspector General cannot investigate or review any matter directly related to the merits of a legal decision or procedural ruling by any judge, justice, or court. While this is written as a limitation, everyday citizens who feel wronged by a specific bad legal ruling cannot use this office to overturn or challenge that judicial decision.
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No Direct Discipline Power: Section 2 adds Section 1024(c)(2), which denies the Inspector General the authority to punish or discipline any judge, justice, or court. Because the office can only investigate and report rather than directly discipline officials, bad actors may face delays or completely avoid immediate accountability.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The bill provides specific legal protections for employees who assist in investigations of misconduct or violations of law. Would business owners be better off under this? — The prevention of fraud and abuse can lead to more efficient government operations.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates annual reports to the Chief Justice and Congress regarding the activities and findings of the Inspector General.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill establishes an Office of Inspector General tasked with detecting and preventing waste, fraud, and abuse within the judicial branch.
- 9/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/6/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 9 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Betty McCollumDemocrat · Minnesota
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii