Lafayette Reporter

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) recently opposed the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2023, a Democrat-sponsored bill that he claims would compromise the independence of the Supreme Court and disrupt the constitutionally mandated balance of powers.

"I do not believe most of my colleagues think this bill is about ethics. This bill is about abortion," said Kennedy. He referenced the June 2022 Dobbs case decision by the United States Supreme Court, which returned the issue of abortion to state jurisdictions.

Kennedy recalled an incident involving Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) during the deliberation of the Dobbs case: "While the Supreme Court was deliberating that case, my colleague and my friend, Senator Schumer went over to the Supreme Court, and, on the steps of the Supreme Court building—I was there; I remember it like it was yesterday—this is what Senator Schumer said, I quote, ‘I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you, Kavanaugh’—not ‘Justice Gorsuch,’ not ‘Justice Kavanaugh’—‘I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you, Kavanaugh, you have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You won’t know what hit you,’ Senator Schumer said."

He further stated his belief that current legislative efforts are part of a broader reaction against certain Supreme Court decisions: "What we’re seeing today with this legislation...is part of the promised whirlwind," he said. "And I do not believe that we should try to undermine the integrity of the institution of the Supreme Court of the United States because we’re unhappy with one of its opinions."