Restoring Confidence in Congress
I decided to run for Congress in order to restore confidence in Congress and help our body earn back the trust of the American people. Through my work on the House Committee on Ethics, I will have the unique ability to achieve many of these goals and ensure that Members of Congress remember the solemn responsibilities that come from holding their office.
America faces serious issues that require immediate attention by leaders capable of solving big problems. I’ve heard firsthand the frustration Hoosiers feel toward Washington with corruption scandals, the absence of civility, and an unwillingness to put America’s greatest challenges above political bickering. The American public is feeling disillusioned, disheartened, and dissatisfied with Congress members’ unethical and sometimes criminal conduct without consequences.
The only way we can restore the public’s trust and confidence in Congress is to continue to reform Washington and replace the current culture with the highest standard of ethics and accountability – something that Hoosiers and all Americans want and most certainly deserve.
This starts by enacting common sense policies such as preventing insider trading for Members of Congress; prohibiting former Members of Congress from lobbying for six years; enacting congressional term limits; applying healthcare mandates to all Members of Congress; and preventing corrupt politicians from receiving federal pensions.
More on Restoring Confidence in Congress
House Republicans did something significant this week that didn’t gain much notice in the press: Rep. Diane Black was named interim Budget Committee chair.
On the face it, perhaps a new committee chair, and an interim, at that, is not noteworthy. But Ms. Black (R., Tenn.), is one of three Republican women serving as committee chairs this term. Together these legislators will not only help shape the debate on critical issues, they’ll help the Republican Party begin to tell a different story than what has been the case historically for women in the House.
U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks, R-5th District, applauded the removal of proposed reforms to the Office of Congressional Ethics.
The House Republican Conference met Monday night at a closed door meeting and voted 119-74 to approve a package of reforms to the OCE. Following a tweet from President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday that criticized the approval, the HRC reversed the decision.
Communications director for Brooks, Kristen Johnson, said that Brooks voted against the measure on Monday.
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Republican Conference removed an amendment to the House Rules that makes some reforms to the manner in which the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) conducts its work. Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks (R-IN05), incoming Chairwoman of the House Ethics Committee, released the following statement in response.
Washington, D.C. – Last night, the House Republican Conference adopted an amendment to the House Rules that makes some reforms to the manner in which the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) conducts its work. Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks (R-IN05), incoming Chairwoman of the House Ethics Committee, released the following statement.
WASHINGTON — Indiana Rep. Susan Brooks, the incoming head of the House Ethics Committee, applauded Tuesday fellow Republicans' reversal of efforts to rein in an independent ethics office — a hasty retreat by the GOP after watchdog groups and President-elect Donald Trump criticized the move.
INDIANAPOLIS - What will the new year bring, with a new Republican administration and new Congress in Washington?
In the video above, we talk with Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) about several of the big issues Congress will be facing in 2017, including the potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
"We want to infuse competition into the marketplace. Right now fewer and fewer health insurance companies are participating," said Brooks. "We want to transition it in appropriately so people do not lose their health insurance. I know there's definitely concerns about that."
Rep. Susan Brooks, who next month will be starting her third term in the U.S. House representing the 5th District of Indiana, has been elected to another leadership position.
Earlier this month, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., tabbed Brooks to chair the House Ethics Committee. She was also named Ryan's representative on the GOP Steering Committee that oversees committee assignments.
This week, Brooks, a Republican, and Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., were elected co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues.
Concerns about Russian interference during the 2016 campaign are mounting, as lawmakers discuss the potential for a Congressional investigation.
Two Republicans and two Democrats called for an investigation into American intelligence agencies’ conclusion that Russian hacking was intended to help President-elect Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton.
Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues
The Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues elected its leadership for the 115th Congress. Reps. Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Lois Frankel (D-FL) will serve as co-chairs; Reps. Mimi Walters (R-CA) and Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) will serve as the vice chairs.
Reps. Kristi Noem (R-SD) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) served as co-chairs during the 114th Congress; Reps. Brooks and Frankel served as the vice chairs.
Susan Brooks, ’85, has been selected to co-chair the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. The bipartisan group was created in 1977 and continues to discuss and promote issues of importance to women.