Sherrilyn IfillI’m a civil rights lawyer. I don’t want to practice before a Court that’s compromised. I want a fair Court. Expansion would make this particular Court more ideologically balanced. Agree. But w/o a real, enforced ethics infrastructure, there will be 18 justices not fully disclosing financials, not compelled to recuse, praying in chambers w/their own faith leaders, going on trips w/groups filing briefs in cases before them, owning stock in indiv companies whose interests are before the Court.
Ben Hirsch@ifilljustice Ok. But why does expansion preclude the same thorough background checks and ethical rules you propose for the 9 member court? The Senate would still vote on all nominees, they'd just be obligated to vote so that one party couldn't stonewall a nominee.