The Chicago Tribute is reporting that the Bush Administration is pushing new rules for House Ethics Committee members. While in the past members who had, or professed, ethics often joined the committee, the Bush Administration has suggested these members show “an ethical bias” and are unfit to serve on the committee. They suggest only those members without ethics should serve in the future. Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who is being considered to Chair the new Ethics Committee, suggested that he had enough votes to get the rules changed in the House.
At a press conference with current Ethics Committee members, DeLay pointed out “the new rules will not affect many members of our caucus - and we have the votes.” While some GOP members agreed immediately, others like Illinois 13th Congressional District member Judy Biggert were less clear. Biggert indicated she was unsure how she would vote - or whether or not she planned to still stay on the committee. Subsequent attempts to clarify her position with her congressional offices in Washington, D.C. and Clarendon Hills went unanswered.
Democrats, predictably, were upset. Some of them suggested that just at the time when upholding ethics was easiest for them, while they are in the minority, they were now being banned from the Ethics Committee.
Tom DeLay said the House debate and floor vote might be scheduled early in the upcoming Congressional session. “It’s never to early to act ethically,” the Majority Leader said.
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