Last week the House Ethics Committee made the beltway news because, of all things, it solicited input on reform of travel rules. You know things were bad when such a gesture of transparency results in headlines in The Hill:
Often criticized as secretive and stalemated, the House ethics committee took a leap into transparency yesterday with a landmark open hearing that asked frequent sponsors of private congressional trips -- and one government watchdog -- how the chamber should change its travel standards.
Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) seems determined to issue new travel rules by the June 15 nonbinding deadline set forth by the House lobby reform bill. One thing most everyone seems to agree on is that Members should have to get prior approval from the Ethics Committee before sponsored travel. One thing where not all Congressmen, reformers, and lobbyists were all in agreement was on punishment standards for staffers:
[Heritage Foundation Vice President for Government Relations Michael] Franc urged a different standard for staffers than lawmakers. The former, he observed, can be fired, while the latter should not face expulsion for travel slipups unless they involve a felony.
We'll just have to wait and see what kind of reforms the Committee comes up with.
You are not logged in.
In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.
If not, you can make an account just by filling out the form below. It's quick and free.
