Supreme Court leakers could face up to 10 years in prison under new Republican bill

Republican senators introduced a bill on Thursday that would penalize future Supreme Court leakers with up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The Stop Supreme Court Leakers Act, introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), would create new criminal penalties for those that wish to leak confidential documents from the Supreme Court before a final ruling.

The bill comes in response to the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that overturns abortion landmark ruling Roe v. Wade.

"The recent leak was an attempt to publicly intimidate justices and undermine the integrity of the Court — all while putting lives at risk," Cassidy said in a statement. "My bill holds leakers accountable and takes away any hopes of profiting off their crimes."

The Stop Supreme Court Leakers Act would impose a 10-year prison sentence and a $10, 000 fine for those that leaking confidential information from the Supreme Court.

Authorities would also be able to seize any profits derived from the leak, including book deals or cable television contributor contracts.

Sen. Marco Rubio praised the bill and said those who wish to leak information from the High Court should be penalized to the greatest extent of the law.

"The leak of a draft opinion of Dobbs not only undermined the integrity of our judicial system, but also continues to spur threats of violence against Supreme Court Justices and crisis pregnancy centers. This bill would ensure that leaked confidential information from the Supreme Court is a criminal offense," Rubio said.

Hyde-Smith called the draft leak a "betrayal" to the US constitution.

"The egregious leak of a draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health harmed the Supreme Court as an institution, particularly if that betrayal was done to intimidate justices or influence the outcome of the case," Hyde-Smith added. "Anyone who chooses to leak confidential information from the highest court in our land should be held accountable, and that’s precisely what this bill seeks to accomplish."

Following the draft leak in May, pro-abortion protesters have gone to the homes of SCOTUS justices' to intimidate them into change their final ruling. An armed man tried to assissinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh after showing up outside of his personal residence.