House GOP moves to weaken independent Ethics watchdog

[Wells]

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/02/po...tee-amendment/

House Republicans voted Monday night in favor of a proposal that would weaken Congress' outside ethics watchdog and remove its independence.

The GOP wants to move the Office of Congressional Ethics, which operates independently, under the control of the House Ethics Committee, essentially ending it as a nonpartisan agency.

[Templar 331]

I'm sure this will be justified by Trump and co. as "saving money."

[Wells]

I'm sure this will be justified by Trump and co. as "saving money."

I haven't seen any comment from the Trump team on this. They were dead silent on the GOP stripping out "buy American" provisions a couple weeks ago too. Visions of things to come I suspect.

- - - Updated - - -

For context Trump has been tweeting about the election (still) and some nonsense about trade with China being one sided.

[KrazyK923]

Drain the swamp, amirite!?

[Captain N]

Just waiting for our Trump-Humpers to come in here and tell us that this has something to do with keeping Democrats in line.

[I Push Buttons]

A bunch of billionaire lobbyist, no ethical watchdog, and a legislative agenda jam packed with deregulation...

What could possibly go wrong?

[RampageBW1]

A bunch of billionaire lobbyist, no ethical watchdog, and a legislative agenda jam packed with deregulation...

What could possibly go wrong?

I seriously hope we don't see more events like Flint's water supply, or Fertilizer planet explosion due to "deregulation" or "cost cutting."

EDIT: And before anyone asks, I know what I said is not really related to what OP is speaking. I am just responding to the "legislative agenda jam packed with deregulation" bit.

[Wells]

Bill would prevent de-fanged ethics group from employing people to speak with the public



- - - Updated - - -

To give Ryan the barest of credit, he opposed this.

[Templar 331]

I seriously hope we don't see more events like Flint's water supply, or Fertilizer planet explosion due to "deregulation" or "cost cutting."

What we'll start to see is Congressmen saying "I know a guy that can do it cheaper! We should get him to do it!" and wouldn't you know said Congressman has stock in "friend's" business.

[Captain N]

Bill would prevent de-fanged ethics group from employing people to speak with the public

So basically it prohibits anyone from speaking to the public if a corporation was dumping toxic sludge into city drinking water?

[Zandalarian Paladin]

You know, I don't even understand why people think this is a problem.

There are so many platforms now available online to leak government files - and I've seen Wikileaks do the same for the Republicans in the past. I see no reason for them not to do it again for the Republicans today.

[Wells]

So basically it prohibits anyone from speaking to the public if a corporation was dumping toxic sludge into city drinking water?

No, this just makes it really really hard for the group to communicate with the public, usually through the press. Basically they'll only make public what Congressmen and women on the committee overseeing them decide to make public.

[owbu]

To be fair, a partisan Ethic committee is one of those things that make you go "oh...America, you loveable weirdo..". So as long as you dont have to live there, I think this is a plus.

[Wells]

You know, I don't even understand why people think this is a problem.

There are so many platforms now available online to leak government files - and I've seen Wikileaks do the same for the Republicans in the past. I see no reason for them not to do it again for the Republicans today.

Yeah, who needs professional and accountable Congressional oversight when a fugitive with a grudge has a website.

[KrazyK923]

You know, I don't even understand why people think this is a problem.

There are so many platforms now available online to leak government files - and I've seen Wikileaks do the same for the Republicans in the past. I see no reason for them not to do it again for the Republicans today.

Yeah we don't need this because there are opportunistic people out there leaking things in a selective, partisan way for a benefit!

[Wells]

Wikileaks and the Office of Congressional Ethics don't even share the same role ffs. Wikileaks just dumps whatever they're handed by their own secret criteria. OCE does actual inquiries and investigations.

[Templar 331]

Bill would prevent de-fanged ethics group from employing people to speak with the public

So they are basically being silenced.....

[Wells]

Seeing some reports that the entire GOP leadership in Congress opposed this.

[RampageBW1]

You know, I don't even understand why people think this is a problem.

There are so many platforms now available online to leak government files - and I've seen Wikileaks do the same for the Republicans in the past. I see no reason for them not to do it again for the Republicans today.

Yes, lets rely on "people with questionable agendas" to leak out the "bad" stuff that our government does, or how government funds are used.

I don't think it's too much to ask for some transparency from our government.

[Masark]

So as long as you dont have to live there, I think this is a plus.

Did not the previous Republican administration make it clear to you that American screwups do not have a minimum safe distance?