The Supreme Court Justice Circuit Riding Act would require each Supreme Court justice to serve as a circuit judge on federal appeals courts for at least ten days of oral arguments per year during the summer recess period. This practice, called circuit riding, was standard for Supreme Court justices for the first 121 years of the Court's history but ended in 1911. The bill's sponsors argue that requiring modern justices to travel and work outside Washington would expose them to diverse legal issues, bring them closer to the American public, and help restore public trust in the judiciary at a time when confidence in the Supreme Court is near historic lows. The justices would sit on panels with lower court judges but could not participate in en banc rehearings or serve via video conference, and the Chief Justice would be required to issue implementing regulations within 180 days of the law's passage. The government would reimburse justices and their staff for reasonable travel and lodging expenses under existing federal guidelines.
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