Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
The Stop Supreme Court Leakers Act of 2025 adds a new federal crime to Title 18 prohibiting Supreme Court officers and employees from disclosing designated confidential information.
Covered material includes internal notes, communications with or among justices, draft opinions before public release, justices' nonpublic personal information, and anything the Chief Justice designates confidential.
Violations generally carry up to 10 years imprisonment and fines, though unauthorized disclosure of internal notes is stated as a $10,000 fine.
Narrow, administrable change increases prospects, but criminal penalties, First Amendment and whistleblower concerns reduce likelihood.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill establishes a new federal criminal offense targeting unauthorized disclosures of specified categories of Supreme Court-related information by Court officers and employees, and it amends related title 18 provisions accordingly.
Liberals emphasize need for whistleblower exceptions and transparency
Liberals emphasize need for whistleblower exceptions and transparency
Likely skeptical.
They would acknowledge the institutional interest in confidential judicial deliberations but worry the bill lacks clear whistleblower and accountability exceptions.
They would be concerned about broad discretion for the Chief Justice to designate secrecy and potential chilling effects on disclosures of misconduct.
Cautiously favorable if clarified.
They will value protecting the integrity of Court deliberations but want precise scope and built-in safeguards.
They would press for statutory whistleblower carve-outs, clearer mens rea and conspiracy language, and guidance on third-party liability.
Generally supportive.
They will view the bill as restoring institutional confidentiality and accountability within the Court by deterring leaks.
They may seek strong enforcement, though some conservatives could want uniform penalties across categories.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Narrow, administrable change increases prospects, but criminal penalties, First Amendment and whistleblower concerns reduce likelihood.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Liberals emphasize need for whistleblower exceptions and transparency
Narrow, administrable change increases prospects, but criminal penalties, First Amendment and whistleblower concerns reduce likelihood.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill establishes a new federal criminal offense targeting unauthorized disclosures of specified categories of Supreme Court-related information by Court officers and emplo…
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