CASTLE SAYS ETHICS COMMISSION MAY LACK AUTHORITY
Washington
| December 19, 2007 -
Delaware
Congressman Mike Castle called the House Ethics Task Force proposal to
create an independent Office of Congressional Ethics a step in the
right direction, but expressed concerns that it places potential limits
on its effectiveness.
"For
far too long, the Ethics Committee within the U.S. House of
Representatives has failed to adequately monitor Members of Congress,"
Rep. Castle said. "I am pleased that an outside Office of
Congressional Ethics is one step closer to being established, but I
believe the power granted to the Commission could fall short of making
a difference.
"In
early 2007, I introduced a bill to establish an ethics commission that
would have the power to subpoena witnesses and allow outside groups to
file complaints. I will continue to urge the Speaker and my colleagues
to include these additional provisions to strengthen the commission and
ensure greater government accountability."
The
Office of Congressional Ethics would be implemented through a
resolution amending House rules. It is expected that this resolution
will be considered on the House floor early next year. This
independent office will consist of six board members who may conduct
preliminary investigations into ethics violations and make
recommendations to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
Current members of Congress and lobbyists are prohibited from serving
on the ethics commission.
Rep.
Castle authored H.R. 97 to establish a stronger Independent
Investigations Commission, among other important lobbying and ethics
reforms. He has submitted this proposal to Rules Committee during
consideration of the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act and the Lobbying Transparency Act. During development of the current proposal, he also presented the merits of the Commission to the House Ethics Task Force.
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