Congressional Ethics: A Freshman’s View
It appears that after our first look at Rep Betty Sutton there is now an additional reason to provide another report. Either Betty Sutton is naive, or a quick study when it comes to politics. Is there a larger irony than trying to determine an elected representative’s honesty or integrity in a discussion on ethics? Probably not but Sutton’s subsequent post at Congress Blog provides anther target we could not resist. Allow me to offer what we find another bit of irony.
The office chairs weren’t even warm before the newly delivered Democratic majority unleashed deputy dog on the GOP. Nancy Pelosi had often reminded us of her intention to ‘drain the swamp’ and end the ‘culture of corruption’ in Congress. And the irony here is Senator Dianne Feinstein has still not been investigated for allegations related to her membership in MILCON and contracts awarded to companies that would benefit both her and her husband.
And now Rep Betty Sutton ups the ante on her own agenda. From discussing tainted food, the dead ERA and pandering to business constituents, Rep Sutton now addresses ethics. The usual sermon follows her support and that of her fellow freshmen for what must be HR 422 that deals with the so-called ‘independent office’ of Public Integrity.
All one has to do is read the section on selecting a Director for this office and all hope of anything remotely resembling an independent body goes out the window. All authority for establishing this office, etc., falls within the discretion of Congress and as such only provides yet another fox watching the hen house scenario.
You can find the announcement from January by Speaker Pelosi exclaiming they just passed the toughest ethics legislation in history as well as Sutton’s press release, that also serves as her Congress Blog post, and the related bills. There is the politician never accused, alleged or known by anyone to have commited any wrongdoing. There are those who have or are serving time for convictions based on unethical behavior. That leaves a great deal of real estate between the two landscapes. And Congress has the unmitigated gaul to speak of ethics.
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com
For Immediate Release: May 16, 2007
Sutton Leads Freshman Lawmakers to End Government Corruption
Congresswoman Betty Sutton and other Democratic freshman call for comprehensive ethics reform
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Betty Sutton held a press conference with other Democratic freshmen to announce their unified support for a nonpartisan, independent entity that will initiate and participate in ethics investigations.
“We have a responsibility to beat back the culture and abuses that have hurt the American people - both in policy and in spirit. We must remain vigilant in the fight to eradicate corruption from this institution and restore the public trust. Safeguarding the trust of the American people is not a part time job. The formation of this independent ethics entity will help cure the structural flaws inherent in our current system.”
For Immediate Release
01/05/2007
Pelosi Statement on Passage of Ethics Reform and Pay-As-You-Go Budget Rules
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the passage of Congressional ethics reform and pay-as-you-go budget rules.
“House Democrats got straight to work this week by passing the toughest Congressional ethics reform in history.
H.RES.6
Title: Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Tenth Congress.
Sponsor: Rep Hoyer, Steny H. [MD-5] (introduced 1/4/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Related Bills: H.RES.5, H.RES.35, H.R.1, H.R.2, H.R.3, H.R.4
Latest Major Action: 1/5/2007 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On agreeing to Title V of the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 200 (Roll no. 11).
H.R.422
Title: To establish the Office of Public Integrity as an independent office within the legislative branch of the Government, to reduce the duties of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the House of Representatives and the Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5] (introduced 1/11/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 1/11/2007 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.COSPONSORS(3), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]: (Sort: by date)
Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7] - 3/21/2007
Rep Shays, Christopher [CT-4] - 1/11/2007
Rep Wilson, Heather [NM-1] - 1/11/2007