G.O.P. Grants Reprieve to House Ethics Office

[onehandle]

Source: New York Times

WASHINGTON — Before the 2010 midterm elections, speculation was rampant that if the Republicans took over the House, they would kill the fledgling Office of Congressional Ethics, an independent body that investigates complaints of misbehavior.

John A. Boehner, who is now House speaker, and other Republican leaders had vigorously opposed the creation of the office, which was the brainchild of Mr. Boehner’s predecessor, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in 2008. Anticipating its demise, Leo Wise, the office staff director and chief counsel, announced in October that he was leaving for a job with the United States attorney’s office for the District of Maryland.

But since assuming control, House Republicans have left the office largely intact, much to the surprise of lawmakers in both parties. Omar Ashmawy, the new staff director and chief counsel, said the office would continue to pursue complaints as aggressively as it did under Mr. Wise.

Good-government groups are taking a wait-and-see attitude on whether the office will be as persistent in going after Republicans now as it was in investigating Democrats when they were in the majority. “The question is how is the Republican leadership going to react when the O.C.E. starts going after its people,” said Norman J. Ornstein, an ethics expert at the American Enterprise Institute who lobbied for the creation of the office. In an e-mail, Michael Steel, a spokesman for Mr. Boehner, said the speaker had no plans to change the office’s mandate or mission. Mr. Steel also said its financing would not be cut.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/22/us/politics/22ethics.html

[dotymed]

1. Most illegitimate organizations

like to give the illusion of legitimacy.
Is being an alcoholic ethical?
I was an active, functioning alcoholic for years, a lot of my past actions would not be seen as ethical.
Does Boehner worry about his actions? I doubt it.
I wasn't a member of the ruling elite, either.....

[nyy1998]

2. If they keep it, and I hope they do, then props is certainly deserved here nt

[Hydra]

3. They'll keep it

But watch for a disproportionate number of Dems getting the investigations.

[Imagevision]

4. What the fu*k is this new house doing to promote jobs!!!

[dotymed]

5. They are creating millions of new jobs,

in countries that "pay" slave wages. "They" all profit from wall street and banksters.....they don't care about America's majority.