Friday, June 29, 2007

The Capuano Coma -- No Act of Commission

For several months, Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA) has been responsible for leading the task force charged with reporting a recommendation to Speaker Pelosi about creating an independent commission to hear and advise on ethics complaints against members of the House.

The Capuano task force has stopped meeting, according to Congressional Quarterly ($). Apparently, "some Democrats ... fear that a change in the current ethics process would leave them vulnerable to politically motivated complaints." As opposed to the status quo?

What is the prognosis for the Capuano task force? Says a top Democratic leadership aide: "It's not dead, but it's in a coma."