Group Will Run Ads Backing Rules Change

4 Mar 2008 // Common Cause will run ads Wednesday urging lawmakers to back a rules change creating an independent panel to weigh ethics complaints against lawmakers, said Sarah Dufendach, a vice president for the watchdog organization. She warned of consequences if the measure fails.

"There will be a backlash if it is kept off the floor or if it goes down in defeat," Dufendach said. Not all watchdog groups are behind the proposal. The Campaign Legal Center and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington are opposed because outside groups will not be able to pursue complaints before the panel. Republicans remain opposed, with a spokesman for House Minority Leader Boehner saying the outside panel would add another layer of bureaucracy to the ethics process.