House Ethics Committee Chair Hastings' foot dragging blocks DeLay hearing

[paineinthearse]

THE BLOCKADE TO RESTORING HOUSE ETHICS

Forget all the hype surrounding the recent announcements that the rules of the House Ethics Committee would finally be restored - http://www.americanprogressaction.org/site/pp.asp?c=klLWJcP7H&b=596351

The committee has yet to restart its work again as "continuing conflict over staff hiring - http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/editorial/3206101 - has kept the panel stalled." Although the "rules state that the staff must be nonpartisan and jointly selected by members of both parties," committee Chairman Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA) is "attempting to replace a bipartisan, professional staff with his own people," including his own chief of staff. This impasse continues to delay the day of accountability for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

The reason for the staffing impass is that when Hastings came aboard, the 109th ram-rodded rethug rules were in effect. Since then they were deep-sixed, in favor of the more balanced 108th Congress rules. But Hastings' personal biased appointees remain.

[AllegroRondo]

1. And appointees do all the research

so this is VERY important to get non-partisan appointees.

[paineinthearse]

2. A note to any DU'er with rethug reps on the ethics committee

Give them a good kick for me!

[gratuitous]

3. Reminds me of a job performance review

"Employee X is a good worker, conscientious and thorough. That is, when he's watched like a cornered rat."

Everyone really thought the Ethics Committee was going to buckle down and get to work once the politicized rules were repealed. Guess again.

[paineinthearse]

4. I met Jim McGovern tonight

He said "I am sick and tired of being sick and tired" of the rethugs' anctics and thievery.