Ocasio-Cortez introduces impeachment articles against Supreme Court's Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito
CBSN
Washington — Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York introduced articles of impeachment against Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito on Wednesday, ramping up Democrats' disapproval of the high court in the wake of ethics issues and a spate of major decisions at the close of its latest term.
It is all but certain that the resolutions will die in the Republican-controlled House, where GOP lawmakers have accused Democrats of mounting a campaign to undermine the court's legitimacy in response to rulings on abortion, guns and presidential power they dislike. Still, the move by Ocasio-Cortez escalates Democrats' scrutiny of the high court's conservative justices, who hold six of the nine seats. The Supreme Court did not immediately return a request for comment.
The resolution filed against Thomas claims he engaged in high crimes and misdemeanors by failing to report travel accommodations and tuition for his grandnephew provided by Republican megadonor Harlan Crow, as well as free rent and home improvements related to a 2014 real estate transaction between the justice and Crow.
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear banned the use of "conversion therapy" on minors in Kentucky on Wednesday, calling his executive order an overdue step to protect children from a widely discredited practice that tries to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity through counseling. Over 20 other states that have passed laws prohibiting the controversial treatment.