A Democratic bill with 8 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the 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 a new Office of Inspector General specifically for the judicial branch of the government. The Inspector General will be appointed by the Chief Justice and will serve a 4-year term. The main job of this office is to investigate alleged misconduct, prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, and recommend law changes. It has the power to conduct audits, issue subpoenas, and investigate violations of the Code of Conduct for Supreme Court Justices. The office is also tasked with protecting judicial branch whistleblowers from retaliation.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Accountability for the Courts: Section 2 establishes duties to investigate alleged misconduct in the judicial branch and alleged violations of the Code of Conduct for Supreme Court Justices, which could bring more transparency and fairness to the courts.
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Whistleblower Protections: Section 2 adds whistleblower protections under Section 1026, ensuring that judicial branch employees cannot be punished or discriminated against for reporting possible violations of law, regulations, or misconduct to the Inspector General.
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Preventing Waste and Fraud: Section 2 gives the office the duty to prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse in the judicial branch, which could help protect taxpayer money.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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No Direct Discipline Power: Section 2 states under Section 1024(c) that the Inspector General lacks the authority to punish or discipline any judge, justice, or court, which might frustrate individuals looking for direct punitive action from the office.
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Delayed Investigations: Section 2 states under Section 1024(b) that the Inspector General cannot start certain investigations until the denial of a petition for review by a judicial council or upon referral to the Judicial Conference, which could cause delays for people seeking oversight.
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.
No significant interests or groups are affected by this bill.
- 9/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island