BLOG
May 18, 2012

Thanks for the Notice, House Ethics

By Jeremy Miller

U.S. House of Representatives logoHow do you give notice of a public meeting and ensure nobody attends?  Announce it five minutes in advance.

In outrageous fashion, the House Ethics Committee noticed a public meeting to consider proposed amendments to the Committee Rules five minutes before the meeting convened. 

 

May 18, 2012

Dear Committee  Member:

The Chairman with the concurrence of the Ranking Member under clause 2(g)(3)(B) of House Rule XI, has scheduled a public meeting of the Committee to be held in Room H-122 The Capitol on Friday, May 18, 2012, at 12:20 p.m. to consider proposed amendments to the Committee Rules.

Sincerely,

Joanne White

Administrative Staff Director

Committee on Ethics

 

If this was as pro forma as the Committee now claims, why not announce the meeting a couple of days ahead of time?  Or is the Ethics Committee just so slavishly devoted to secrecy that it can't help itself?  Your U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ethics...never ceasing to amaze.

CREW and Other Groups File Amicus Brief to Supreme Court in Critical Campaign Finance Case

CREW and Other Groups File Amicus Brief to Supreme Court in Critical Campaign Finance Case

CREW and others joined in asking the Supreme Court to deny review of a Montana State Supreme Court decision upholding the state's prohibition on corporate political expenditures.
Read More ›

May 18, 2012 | Campaign Finance Reform, Corporate, Elections, States, Montana, Supreme Court

Anonymity of Different Kind

Anonymity of Different Kind

The U.S. is a top destination of corrupt officials for setting up shell companies. CREW and others sent a letter urging members of Congress to co-sponsor and pass the Incorporation Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act. Read More ›

May 16, 2012 | Congress, Corporate, Corruption, Financial, Governance & Legislation, House, Letters, Senate, Transparency, Open Government

Marco Rubio / David Rivera Relationship Strong Despite Fundraising Questions

Marco Rubio / David Rivera Relationship Strong Despite Fundraising Questions

Ethical clouds hang over the ties between two prominent Florida lawmakers.
Read More ›

May 11, 2012 | States, Florida, House Members, David Rivera, Political Candidates, Marco Rubio

Is the White House Getting Cold Feet Over the DATA Act?

Is the White House Getting Cold Feet Over the DATA Act?

Facing an uncertain future in the Senate, the recently passed House version of the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act didn’t exactly get a ringing endorsement from the Obama administration. Read More ›

May 11, 2012 | Federal Agencies, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), The White House, Transparency, House Members, Darrell Issa

Exactly What Washington Doesn’t Need

Exactly What Washington Doesn’t Need

Sen. Richard Lugar's concession statement he offered last night is a stinging indictment of the polarization gripping Capitol Hill.
Read More ›

May 9, 2012 | States, Indiana, Senate Members, Richard Lugar

Character Counts

Character Counts

Under US law, the holders of broadcast licenses must exhibit "character" and "candor." Rupert Murdoch fails these qualifications.
Read More ›

May 8, 2012 | Federal Agencies, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), News, News Corp. , Organizations, Public Citizen, Rupert Murdoch

© 2012 Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, all rights reserved.
• 1400 Eye Street NW • Suite 450 • Washington, DC 20005 • 202-408-5565 •