Sarbanes Statement on G.O.P. Move to Dismantle Independent Oversight of House Ethics

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) issued the following statement after House Republicans voted to eliminate the independent Office of Congressional Ethics:

"Behind closed doors and without public notice – before the new Congress even gavels into session – House Republicans are working to terminate the only independent ethics watchdog in the House of Representatives. The Office of Congressional Ethics is responsible for rooting out corruption and wrongdoing among lawmakers, and holding them accountable to the public. With this change, House Republicans are effectively removing the single independent body designed to improve Congress’ transparency and to ensure that Members of Congress do not run afoul of ethics rules or the laws of this nation. The G.O.P.’s actions are a far cry from the public’s loud calls to clean up Washington. Instead, they’re a deeply concerning harbinger of the opaque, special-interest agenda to come.”

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