❗Let's close the gap: We still need your help to raise $40,000 by April 1. Donate now

Citizen ethics panel to watch over Congress

Marketplace Staff Jun 11, 2007
HTML EMBED:
COPY

Citizen ethics panel to watch over Congress

Marketplace Staff Jun 11, 2007
HTML EMBED:
COPY

MARK AUSTIN THOMAS: There’s word on Capitol Hill that a new House Ethics Commission — one not made up of members of Congress — could be a reality soon. A bipartisan task force will meet this week to hash out the details. But some groups are already saying this new commission won’t have enough power. Jeremy Hobson has more from Washington.


JEREMY HOBSON: Discussions are still ongoing, but people on the inside say the new independent commission would be able to investigate complaints, though without subpoena power. It would send its findings over to the existing House Ethics Committee, which would then conduct its own investigations.

That’s not enough for Melanie Sloan of the group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. She wants the commission to have real teeth.

MELANIE SLOAN: If they are still going to have to go to the chairman and ranking member of the ethics committee before they can issue so much as a single subpoena, then the ethics committee — which means members of Congress — will still be able to stymie any inconvenient investigations.

But even Sloan says the panel would be a step in the right direction. And Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, is especially happy about one aspect.

TOM FITTON: Well, the most important thing is that it would allow independent groups, outside groups, citizens and activists to file ethics complaints against members of Congress.

So get those complaints ready — action on the independent panel could come as early as this week.

In Washington, I’m Jeremy Hobson for Marketplace.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.