Will the Democrats do anything about the Supreme Court ethics crisis?

The Supreme Court is, face to face, the most powerful body of power in the United States. Nine jurists, appointed for life, can determine the everyday rights of Americans. These jurists may be conservative or liberal, but they are supposed to govern according to the Constitution, not their political beliefs.

Whether this is the case has been called into question, most recently by the report of Justice Samuel Alito and his wife, Martha-Ann, who were revealed to have flown two flags associated with the 'Stop the Steal' movement outside their residences. In the wake of these reports, reporter Lauren Windsor recorded Alito and his wife candidly expressing political bias at the Supreme Court Historical Society's annual dinner. The recordings, which were provided exclusively to Rolling rockhave sparked yet another round of calls for accountability.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) was outraged by the audio released Monday, which included Alito saying he “agrees” that the United States should return to godliness and arguing that the nation's political differences “cannot to compromise”. and that one side must “win”.

“Truly disheartening — in fact, outrageous — that Roberts is tacitly condoning Alito's conduct, so humiliating to the Court and humiliating to himself,” He wrote in response to the first story. “Alito becomes a loose cannon aimed at the Court itself. It makes a mockery of morality.”

The audio batch also included a recording of Chief Justice John Roberts, whose comments were much more measured than Altio's. Roberts flatly rejected efforts by Democrats to discuss concerns Alito had about two flags associated with the “Stop the Steal” movement that flew outside two of his residences. Alito has refused to recuse himself from cases related to Jan. 6, blaming his wife, who wrote in a statement that she “loves to fly flags.”

Later on Monday, Rolling rock released the Windsor recording of Martha-Ann Alito bashing Pride flags, liberals and vowing retaliation against the media.

“Stomach turning and freaking out,” Blumenthal wrote in response. “Such repugnant threats of retaliation reveal a mindset — one that Alito himself apparently shares, since he has refused to disavow it. Also unacceptable is Roberts' lack of leadership and congressional inaction due to Republican resistance.”

The Supreme Court did not return multiple requests for comment from Rolling rockand Alito has yet to respond to the recordings.

“Samuel Alito's legacy on the Supreme Court is homophobia and bigotry, and now his wife is being exposed as homophobic and bigoted. Does it shock you?' Rep. Ritchie Torres (DN.Y.), who is gay, wrote about Martha-Ann Alito's recording. “The Republican MAGA Judiciary Plan seeks to take America back. We can't let them win.”

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee convened to address the Supreme Court ethics crisis Tuesday, with Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DN.Y.) appearing on MSNBC hours later to discuss what needs to be done.

“Under what circumstances would a Supreme Court justice accept hundreds of thousands of dollars or millions of dollars in foreign travel or tuition fees or a recreational vehicle? It's weird to think about,” Raskin said, referring to Justice Clarence Thomas' controversial relationship with right-wing tycoons and how members of Congress are prohibited from receiving gifts worth more than $50.

“We want a ban on $50 gifts for judges,” Raskin continued. “They make $300,000 a year. Pay for your own lunch and pay for your own vacation.”

Democrats, however, have done nothing significant to rein in the Supreme Court since ProPublica first reported on Thomas' vacation last year. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, has come under fire to not be more aggressive. Durbin pushed the court last year to create an ethics code. They did, but it was vague and non-binding. He then called conservative Supreme Court architect Leonard Leo and threatened to subpoena Harlan Crow, but Leo said he would not comply. Late last month, Durbin, along with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), wrote a letter to Roberts asking to discuss Alito's acquittal in cases related to Jan. 6. Roberts refused.

Durbin has not commented publicly on the tapes released this week, although he said Tuesday that the Senate will vote Wednesday on implementing an ethics code. The vote will be by unanimous consent, meaning all 100 senators would have to sign off on the idea. Republicans of course aren't going to do that, which means the vote is essentially a ploy designed to brand Republicans as opposed to something everyone already knows they're opposed to.

Just take it from Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.), the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, who is planning to oppose Durbin's unanimous consent request. NBC News asked Graham on Tuesday if he was concerned about Alito's tapes. “I'm more worried about ISIS killing us all,” he said.