Congress had a report due May 1. The Speaker of the House “appointed a bipartisan task force to recommend whether an independent panel of nonmembers should investigate ethics complaints and play a role in enforcing rules of conduct” way back on January 31. Since that time, there has been little progress. So what’s the hold-up?
Neither party wants to let outsiders file complaints on the members of Congress. They think that ethics complaints should originate with in the Congress, not from those pesky constituents. They don’t want activist groups filing complaints against members of Congress. Said activist groups see that as a little self-serving.
There is an alternative plan, however. The House will allow outside complaints to be filed, if the outside group opens its books and let’s the House see who donates to them. Supporters of that idea say it will allow the ethics committee to see if the group is funded by left wingers or right wingers. Public groups call it “intimidation.”
Pardon me, but what difference does the source of the complaint make? Attacking the source of a complaint does nothing to address the complaint itself. It really doesn’t matter if the source is left wing or right wing. Look the the complaint and investigate it.
Complaints from government watchdog groups will probably be more honest than complaints from members of Congress. And you already know if someone is left or right wing there. You still investigate it or dismiss it.
Open up and let the country see the mess you’ve made of our House.
