Democrat-led Senate Judiciary panel authorizes subpoenas for Crow, Leo in Supreme Court ethics probe

"Their attempts to thwart the legitimate oversight efforts of Congress should concern all of us," Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Dick Durbin said.

By Charlotte Hazard

The Democrat-led Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday in favor of authorized subpoenas for GOP mega donor Harlan Crow and conservative activist Leonard Leo in connection with the panel's Supreme Court ethics probe.

Senate Democrats are requesting documents from each regarding gifts and their alleged involvement in luxury trips given to Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.

The vote in favor of the subpoenas was along party lines.

"Their attempts to thwart the legitimate oversight efforts of Congress should concern all of us," said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, according to CBS News. "To protect Congress authority and advance the committee's efforts to implement an enforceable code of conduct for the Supreme Court, it is necessary to seek authorization to pursue compulsory process."

Sen. Lindsey Graham, the committee's top Republican, called the panel's probe politically motivated.

"This is about an ongoing effort to destroy this court," said Graham, who also suggested Democrats' larger objective is to remove those appointed by a Republican president and replace them with a Democrat-appointed ones.