Republicans reject bipartisan ethics committee

[Relbeek Einre]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/04/15/ ... index.html

[Aabe]

I would like to see a bipartisan commitee, but the fact it went down party lines and that the movement seems to be drivin from the democratic side.

It makes me wonder, what abuses through leaks, ect might be planned for it.

Sad when I don't trust anyone in congress to do the right thing for principle sake anymore.

[Trollbait]

Note how the article does not give you any clue as to what the substance of M.s Pelosi's rules change was.

[Burz]

This would assume the commity would have had ethics.

[Burz]

Wow..."rajavengerGIA moment" there..

[Shallon]

Far too legible to be a raja moment.

[Relbeek Einre]

The text of the bill isn't on Thomas yet. I looked.

[Trollbait]

I Believe it is H.RES.131 as summarized below......

Amends rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to revise the procedures of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Repeals the requirement that a complaint be dismissed if an investigative subcommittee has not been established within 45 days after the complaint is filed (Automatic Dismissal Rule). Requires the committee to establish an investigative subcommittee if a complaint is not disposed of within the 45 days (or a 45-day extension). Subjects to such (automatic) subcommittee establishment rule the current related requirement that an investigative committee be established only by an affirmative of the majority of the committee members, if at any time during the applicable time period either the committee chairman or ranking member places on the agenda the issue of whether to establish such an investigative subcommittee.

Requires the Committee to establish an "investigative" instead of "adjudicatory" subcommittee when requested by a Member, officer, or employee of the House, contesting the contents of a written complaint. (Thus repeals the right of a Member, officer, or employee to demand an immediate trial by an adjudicatory committee within the initial 45-day period, before a case has been adequately prepared.)

Revises the right to counsel of a respondent or witness. Strikes provisions allowing a respondent or witness appearing before the investigative subcommittee or investigative hearing to obtain counsel of his or her choice, even if such counsel represents another respondent or witness. (Thus allows the committee to adopt a rule that prohibits a counsel from representing more than one respondent or witness.)