For Immediate Release

January 5, 2007

Washington, DC - Congressman Gene Green (D-Houston) in a speech given on the floor of the House of Representatives today,  called for the implementation of an Independent Investigative Office to act as a non-partisan investigative arm when an ethical issue comes before the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, also known as the Ethics Committee.

 

The following statement is an excerpt from Congressman Green who has served on the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct for the last six years:

 

“I have seen more investigations than I care to in the last 6 years of Members on both sides of the aisle. 

“The rule changes should restore a tone of civility and honesty in this chamber and that is why I am supporting this package and urge all my colleagues to do the same.

 

“However, I would like to raise an issue that is not contained in this package today. 

 

“I strongly believe that the House Ethics Committee needs an independent investigative office.

 

“Currently, my colleagues on the Ethics Committee and I are tasked with determining whether rumors and innuendos have any merit to launch investigations that at times bring disgrace to this body and end the careers of our colleagues.

 

“We are the Court of Congress, yet we serve as both the investigators and the judges of our colleagues.  This is no easy task.

 

“Those of us on this Committee have accepted this position and stand poised to enforce the Rules of the House and preserve the integrity of this body.

 

“However, it would be beneficial to the Members of the Ethics Committee and this House if we had an independent investigative arm so we may have unbiased, thorough information regarding any accusation of impropriety by a Member of this body.

 

“I believe this would help remove any partisan sentiments regarding origination of investigations and may help restore America’s faith in our ability to enforce our rules.

 

“With this information the Members of Congress would then determine whether or not there is sufficient information to further the investigation, or take action on the issue before the Committee.

 

“Allowing an independent investigative office to begin the investigation and then bring their findings to the Ethics Committee would not make our job easier, but it would help us have this non-partisan information, which would help us to our job better.

 

“I strongly support the changes proposed today, but I believe it is necessary for us to begin a dialogue on creating an Independent Investigative Office to serve the House Ethics Committee.”

 

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