WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) reintroduced the Stop Supreme Court Leakers Act to criminalize individuals who leak confidential information from the Supreme Court of the United States.

“Individuals who aim to undermine the highest Court in our nation and intimidate its justices should be held accountable for their actions,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Stop Supreme Court Leakers Act is a vital piece of legislation, which would ensure that the Court's work remains free from unwanted outside interference by cracking down on those who leak confidential information.”

“Supreme Court leaks should be a criminal offense. Leakers threaten the safety of justices, damage the Court’s reputation, and put lives at risk,”said Dr. Cassidy. “They must be held accountable, not celebrated.”

“Supreme Court justices must be able to carry out their responsibilities without the threat of their every action being leaked, whether to influence, embarrass, or threaten them.  Such actions, which we’ve seen in recent years, only undermine public trust and the Supreme Court as an institution,” said Senator Hyde-Smith. “This legislation is needed to establish significant criminal penalties and fines for those who cross that line and betray the Court.”

The Stop Supreme Court Leakers Act requires a $10,000 fine and imposes up to a 10-year prison sentence on those who leak confidential information from the Supreme Court. Additionally, Cassidy’s legislation goes one step further by enforcing a seizure of profits derived from the leak which could include book deals or cable television contributor contracts.

The Stop Supreme Court Leakers Act criminalizes leaks of the following information:

• Internal notes on cases heard by the Supreme Court of the United States.
• Any communication between the Chief Justice or an associate justice and an employee or officer of the Supreme Court on a matter pending before the Supreme Court.
• A draft opinion or a final opinion prior to the date on which such opinion is released to the public.
• Personal information of the chief justice or an associate justice that is not otherwise legally available to the public.
• Any other information designated to be confidential by the chief justice.