Senate Judiciary asks Chief Justice Robert to testify on high court ethics amid Thomas revelations

The Senate Judiciary Committee said Thursday that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has been invited to testify in a hearing about court ethics reform — amid recent revelations about Justice Clarence Thomas going on luxury vacations with his billionaire friend.

"The time has come for a new public conversation on ways to restore confidence in the Court’s ethical standards," committee Chairman Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin told Roberts in a letter dated April 10. 

The hearing is scheduled for May 2, and Roberts will be allowed to designate another justice to appear before the committee, Durbin also said.

Sitting justices last appeared before the committee in 2011, when now-retired Justice Stephen Breyer and Justice Antonin Scalia before his death testified on the constitutional role of judges.

The Democrat-led committee said Thursday that if the Supreme Court does not independently resolve it recent ethics issues the panel "will consider legislation to resolve it."

Thomas has said was not required to report on the trips he and his wife went on with Republican mega-donor Harlan Crow.