First Order of Business, Gut Independent Ethics Office

[WhatsHisNuts]

And so it begins.
http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/02/u...column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

House Republicans, overriding their top leaders, voted on Monday to significantly curtail the power of an independent ethics office set up in 2008 in the aftermath of corruption scandals that sent three members of Congress to jail.

The body was created after a string of serious ethical issues starting a decade ago, including bribery allegations against Representatives Duke Cunningham, Republican of California; William J. Jefferson, Democrat of Louisiana; and Bob Ney, Republican of Ohio. All three were ultimately convicted and served time in jail.

By moving all of the authority to the House Ethics Committee, several ethics lawyers said, the House risks becoming far too protective of members accused of wrongdoing.
<button class="button comments-button theme-speech-bubble-large" data-skip-to-para-id="" style="margin: 7px 60px 30px 30px; font-size: 0.6875rem; vertical-align: middle; line-height: 0.8125rem; cursor: pointer; font-family: nyt-franklin, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; border-radius: 3px; transition: background-color 0.3s; display: flex; padding: 0px; border-width: initial; border-style: none; border-color: initial; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-transform: uppercase; overflow: visible; flex-direction: column; align-self: center; float: right;">43COMMENTS</button>Bryson Morgan, who worked as an investigative lawyer at the Office of Congressional Ethics from 2013 until 2015, said that under his interpretation of the new rules, members of the House committee could move to stop an inquiry even before it was completed.
?This is huge,? said Mr. Morgan, who now defends lawmakers targeted in ethics investigations. ?It effectively allows the committee to shut down any independent investigation into member misconduct. Historically, the ethics committee has failed to investigate member misconduct.?

 

[Duff Miver]

Republicans are digging the swamp deeper and wider.

They don't want any ethics oversight. Sad.

 

[Skulnik]

This office was CREATED in 2008.

:facepalm:

 

[Dead Money]

From BBC news Europe...

From BBC news Europe...

"Republicans are to drop a plan to gut the independent body that investigates political misconduct after a backlash.
The lawmakers' surprise vote to strip the Office of Congressional Ethics of its independence prompted public outcry and a dressing down from Donald Trump."

 

[WhatsHisNuts]

"Republicans are to drop a plan to gut the independent body that investigates political misconduct after a backlash.
The lawmakers' surprise vote to strip the Office of Congressional Ethics of its independence prompted public outcry and a dressing down from Donald Trump."

Trump gave them shit for making this their top priority and they backed down. Smart on both sides.

 

[JT]

This office was CREATED in 2008.

:facepalm:

In response to Casino Jack.