Thursday, December 20, 2007

Democrats on House Task Force Propose Independent Ethics Panel

The Hill and the Washington Post report that Democrats on the House Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement support the creation of an independent panel to review ethics complaints and make recommendations to the House ethics committee. The "Office of Congressional Ethics" would consist of six members jointly appointed by the speaker and minority leader who would serve four-year terms and be served by a nonpartisan professional staff. Current lawmakers and lobbyists would not be able to be on the panel. The panel would first conduct preliminary reviews of complaints and then conduct a second phase review of the ones it finds most serious for referral to the House Ethics Committee. The cases referred to the Ethics Committee would have to be considered within 45 calendar or five legislative days followed by a public statement or finding of its verdict.