The written code of conduct nods at the public pressure the Court is facing, but it can’t do much to change the justices’ behavior.

The Supreme Court is adopting an ethics code for the first time as its justices — especially conservative Justice Clarence Thomas — face scrutiny for undisclosed gifts from wealthy political donors.The policy was adopted Monday.

The subpoenas are part of a probe into lavish trips accepted by Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Sam Alito. GOP lawmakers stormed out of the hearing in protest.

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have voted to authorize subpoenas for two prominent conservatives who arranged luxury travel and other benefits for Supreme Court justices

Republicans walked out of the hearing as Democrats voted to compel billionaire GOP donor Harlan Crow and conservative legal activist Leonard Leo to testify.

Senate Republicans are encouraging Crow and Leo to ignore the subpoenas, arguing the Democrat-led committee vote to issue them was invalid.

Senate Democrats are expected on Thursday to vote on authorizing subpoenas to a pair of influential conservatives with ties to the U.S. Supreme Court as part of an ethics inquiry spurred by reports of undisclosed largesse directed to some conservative justices.

The decision to try to compel cooperation from a leading judicial activist and a Republican megadonor came over fierce G.O.P. opposition and threats of retaliation.

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to authorize subpoenas for two prominent conservatives who arranged luxury travel and other benefits for Supreme Court justices, but Republicans challenged the legitimacy of the move and pledged to withhold support for enforcing the legal order.