Gerlach, Shays, Castle, English, Wilson Call for Additional Action to Strengthen Ethics Process

Gerlach, Shays, Castle, English, Wilson Call for Additional Action to Strengthen Ethics Process

Representatives Christopher Shays (R-CT), Mike Castle (R-DE), Phil English (R-PA), Jim Gerlach (R-PA) and Heather Wilson (R-NM) today applauded initial steps to reform the House ethics process and called for additional actions to ensure proper implementation and enforcement, including the creation of an Office of Public Integrity, which the group proposed last March.

"Voters sent a message in November that they expect more from their Members of Congress than lax ethics standards," Shays said. Shays, who offered a bipartisan package of ethics reforms entitled the Ethics and Lobbying Reform Act (HR 5677) last Congress, continued, "The bipartisan reforms we passed today are an important step forward and include many reforms I have worked with Rep. Meehan and Senators McCain and Feingold to enact. Now we need to continue the momentum by creating an Office of Public Integrity, improving disclosure of lobbyists' contributions, and slowing the revolving door."

"There is no question that the package the House passed today takes several big steps in the right direction to curbing abuses, including the banning of gifts, meals and trips paid for by lobbyists, pre-approval of private travel, barring lawmakers from traveling on corporate jets, and requiring ethics training for Members and staff," Castle said. "However, I believe this overall package falls short of what we could have accomplished and will continue to work with my colleagues to create an outside nonpartisan, professional enforcement entity, train and license lobbyists and cut familial ties."

"The ethics reforms included in the Democratic rules package are a welcome step, however more can and should be done to ensure that all Members of Congress uphold the highest standards of ethical strength," said English. "I've long advocated for the creation of an Office of Public Integrity to help improve the process of enforcing ethics law within the institution. This office would further increase transparency, disclosure and accountability in how we govern. Regrettably, the Democrats did not include this key reform."

"Effective ethics reform is certainly needed and the legislation passed today is a good first step. However more must be done," Gerlach said. "One of the issues I've talked extensively about with my constituents was the need to create an independent body to oversee the actions of Congress. This Office of Public Integrity would watch over both the House and Senate and would be an important tool in showing the public that we're serious about reform and restoring integrity to this institution."

"I support creating a nonpartisan Office of Public Integrity," Wilson said. "When individual members appear to have broken the rules, they should be investigated by an independent professional. We need a nonpartisan office that can investigate allegations of wrongdoing. Federal agencies have Inspectors General and the executive branch has an Office of Public Integrity. The Congress should be able to police its own members."

Today, the House passed a rules package which included reforms to:

· Ban gifts from lobbyists;

· Tighten travel restrictions, require pre-approval of travel, and prohibit use of corporate jets; and

· Make earmarks more transparent.

http://gerlach.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=55155