Pingree decries proposed weakening of Office of Congressional Ethics

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement on a vote by House Republicans last night to weaken the independent, nonpartisan Office of Congressional Ethics as part of a package of rules for the incoming Congress.  Pingree will vote against the package later today. 

“I think it’s absolutely outrageous that House Republicans voted behind closed doors to gut and severely weaken the Office of Congressional Ethics. It shows a complete disregard for the trust that voters have put in us. Members of Congress must meet high ethical standards to make sure that we are acting in the public’s interest and not our own—this nonpartisan office is critical in uncovering incidents where those standards are violated so lawmakers can be held accountable.

“To strip this office of its authority and independence is like taking the referees off the field.  I will be voting against this measure later today and am extremely disappointed that this is the tone Republicans want to set for the new Congress.”