House Republicans are holding an emergency meeting Tuesday to discuss a changes they made Monday to gut the Office of Congressional Ethics, according to a Republican congressional aide.
The change – which was included in a comprehensive rules package– would change the way the OCE is governed and would largely nullify the independent body’s power and put it under the control of the congressionally run House Ethics Committee.
The change was highly controversial, with 74 Republicans actually voting against it.
The rules change faced incredible backlash Monday night and early Tuesday with Republican President-elect Donald Trump even tweeting Tuesday that he thought Republicans had better things to do.
With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2017
……..may be, their number one act and priority. Focus on tax reform, healthcare and so many other things of far greater importance! #DTS
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2017
During a session with reporters Tuesday morning, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) wouldn’t say whether the rules package was in jeopardy because of the OCE overhaul. He referred questions about it to the House whip, but, the emergency meeting may indicated the package is in jeopardy.
Tuesday is officially the first day of the new Congress with new members actually being sworn in. The House was supposed to vote on the entire rules package later Tuesday afternoon.
The GOP move actually makes some sense. Maybe.
After all, the most ethically challenged, morally and financially bankrupt, and probably the most dangerous man on this flat earth to ever hold the office of President will be taking office in 3 weeks. It is more than fitting that the GOP house get down in the pig sty along with their leader.
Perhaps it was just jealousy. When Trumplethinskin spokes-liars keep saying that as president he cannot ever have a conflict of interest, could it be that the House GOP became jealous and decided to improve their earning potential while they hold office?
Every time I become despondent over how bad the new house, senate, and president will be, they somehow find a way to make things worse.
I’m trying to contact my rep, Jodey Arrington (Texas 19th) to see how he voted. Keep getting an answering machine.
Surely, they didn’t think anyone would notice, did they?
Because Republicans can only investigate - they can never be investigated.
I guess now we’ll find out if sunshine really is antiseptic…