Top US Senate Republican backs U.S. Supreme Court chief amid calls for Thomas probe

WASHINGTON, April 18 (Reuters) – U.S. Senate Republican Chief Mitch McConnell on Tuesday expressed help for the Supreme Courtroom’s chief justice as Democrats urge him to research luxurious journeys taken by Justice Clarence Thomas that have been paid for by a Republican donor.

“I’ve whole confidence within the Chief Justice of america to cope with these courtroom inside points,” McConnell instructed reporters.

Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats, in a letter despatched to Chief Justice John Roberts on April 10, mentioned Thomas’ conduct violated moral requirements.

The committee plans to carry a listening to on the matter however a date has not but been introduced.

ProPublica reported on April 6 that Thomas accepted costly journeys from Republican donor and actual property magnate Harlan Crow over a long time with out disclosing them.

Thomas defended the journeys, saying he had been suggested he was not required to report that kind of “private hospitality.” However the conservative justice mentioned he would abide by new, tighter guidelines that just lately took impact.

Reporting by Moira Warburton in Washington; Modifying by Chizu Nomiyama

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.