How's that for quick results! We'd urged support for the Democratic leadership to set up a an independent ethics watchdog (see below) and today's New York Times ("House Democrats Planning New Intelligence Oversight" (12/15, p. A36) reports that "Democrats with Republican cooperation, would form a task force to study ways the House could establish an independent entity to enforce House ethics rules." The task force is supposed to deliver its report on March 15. Personally, I'm sending an email to Nancy Pelosi to congratulate her on this initiative.

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An article in The New York Times reports that "House Democrats are seriously exploring the creation of an independent ethics arm" (12/13, p. A23). Most good government groups have long advocated the formation of an outside ethics watchdog panel to enforce Congressional rules. Currently, in the House this is generally the responsibility of its Ethics Committee. Unfortunately, it has proven to be a toothless watchdog, either dormant a lot of the time or, when it actually convenes, almost invariably extremely lenient when considering alleged transgressions by its fellow House members.

Congressman Rush Holt is currently studying the proposal and considering the issue. If you'd like to send him an email to urge him to support a bipartisan ethics panel click here.

Russ Weiss
Co-chair PCDO Government Ethics Committee