Crapo Statement on Independence of the Supreme Court

Washington, D.C.--Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued the following statement on recent efforts to undermine the Supreme Court and rule of law:

“Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing at which Ranking Member Graham described a concentrated effort by the left to try to undermine the legitimacy of the United States Supreme Court.  There were also letters written that threatened reduced funding for the Court’s budget and that questioned a private citizen’s tax compliance, and asked for a complete account of the evidence of that compliance, on the simple grounds of a decades-long friendship with a Supreme Court Justice.  It was also suggested the Senate Finance Committee ‘will explore using other tools at the committee’s disposal’ to force the disclosure of protected tax information.  Senator Lee’s letter provides important perspective on how these actions undermine the independence of the Court. 

“I believe in the integrity and honesty of the Court and that of all nine Justices.  I will oppose any effort to issue a subpoena in the Finance Committee or to use other tools at the committee’s disposal to further efforts to undermine the independence of the Supreme Court and its individual Justices.  Taxpayers have a fundamental right to the certainty that their tax and financial information is protected, remains confidential and will not be used for political purposes.”  

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