Home > News Center > Press Releases, Statements and Articles -- View News Items by Date | View News Items by Topic
Print Version in New Window
Print Version-Congressman Mike Capuano Releases Report of the Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement
PRESS RELEASE
Congressman Mike Capuano Releases Report of the Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement
December 19, 2007
Congressman Mike Capuano (D-MA) today released the report of the Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement which recommends the establishment of an independent ethics enforcement entity to review allegations of violations of House ethics standards. The report was issued by Congressman Capuano on behalf of Congressman David Price (D-NC), Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN).
The Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement was established in January by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader John Boehner and charged with considering whether to create an independent ethics enforcement entity to supplement the work of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
"The recommendations included in this comprehensive Task Force report represent the most dramatic progress in years in the drive to strengthen ethics enforcement in the House. An independent entity will greatly increase transparency and end concerns about the 'old boy network'," stated Task Force Chair, Rep. Mike Capuano.
The Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement is recommending the following:
- The establishment of an independent office within the House — called the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) — led by a panel of six board members appointed by the Speaker and the Minority Leader. A non-partisan professional staff will be hired by the panel. Current House Members and lobbyists cannot serve on the panel.
- The office will conduct preliminary reviews, then refer all matters subject to a second-phase review to the Ethics Committee for disposition; if no merit is found, the board can recommend dismissal;
- The office will have up to 30 calendar days or 5 legislative days, whichever is later, to conduct a preliminary review, and 45 calendar days or 5 legislative days to review a matter in the second phase before referring it to the Ethics Committee;
- The Ethics Committee will then have up to 45 calendar or 5 legislative days, whichever is later, to consider the matter as allowed pursuant to current Ethics Committee Rules 16b – 16e;
- The Ethics Committee must make a public statement, or finding, on most referrals from the OCE by the end of their 45 calendar or 5 legislative day period.
This agreement incorporates a number of critical elements, from involving non-Members with the review of ethics matters, to requiring the Ethics Committee to make a public statement on most matters referred by the new entity.
Other members of the bipartisan task force include Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX), Congressman Dave Camp (R-MI), Congressman Dave Hobson (R-OH), and Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-KS).
"I regret that after many months of bipartisan deliberations, Republican members of the Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement withheld comment on this report. However, I hope that as they review this proposal further over the upcoming Congressional recess, they will agree to work with us in moving this initiative forward," stated Congressman Capuano.
--
Contact: Alison M. Mills (617) 621-6208
Press Releases, Statements, Op-Eds and documents issued from Mike's office –
Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement
| Title |
Format |
Date |
03/11/2008 Congressman Mike Capuano's Statement on the Passage of H.Res. 895, Establishing an Independent Office of Congressional Ethics |
Statement |
March 11, 2008 |
03/10/2008 Summary of H. Res. 895: Establishing within the House of Representatives an Office of Congressional Ethics |
Press Release |
March 10, 2008 |
03/10/2008 Summary of H. Res. 895: Establishing within the House of Representatives an Office of Congressional Ethics [PDF] |
PDF |
March 10, 2008 |
03/05/2008 Opinion-Editorial: Time to Pass an Ethics Reform Bill With an Independent Board |
Op-Ed |
March 5, 2008 |
03/03/2008 "Dear Colleague" letter from Congressman Capuano
on proposed amendments to the Ethics Task Force resolution. |
PDF |
March 3, 2008 |
12/19/2007 Congressman Capuano Releases Report of the Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement |
Press Release |
December 19, 2007 |
12/19/2007 "Dear Colleague" letter from Congressman Capuano
announcing the report and recommendations |
PDF |
December 19, 2007 |
04/20/2007 Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement Focuses on Flawed System |
Press Release |
April 20, 2007 |
01/31/2007 Speaker Pelosi Appoints Capuano Chairman of Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement |
Press Release |
January 31, 2007 |
Press Coverage –
Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement
| Title | Source | Date |
The ethical thing to do |
Boston Herald |
March 17, 2008 |
Kicking and Screaming Toward Reform |
New York Times |
March 13, 2008 |
"It Is Time to Pass an Ethics Reform Bill With an Independent Board" |
Roll Call |
March 5, 2008 |
An ethics compromise implodes |
Boston Globe |
February 29, 2008 |
Editorial: An Office for Ethics |
Washington Post |
December 31, 2007 |
Editorial: Help for House Cleaning |
New York Times |
December 29, 2007 |
"Press Release: Independent Ethics Enforcement Proposal" |
U.S. PIRG |
December 20, 2007 |
"Office of Congressional Ethics would be a critical improvement" |
Common Cause |
December 19, 2007 |
"New Ethics Office Doesn't Need Subpoena Power" |
Roll Call |
December 11, 2007 |
"New Ethics Proposal Isn't Perfect, but It's a Solid Step Forward" |
Roll Call |
December 5, 2007 |
Reports and Documentation –
Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement
All documents are in PDF format and can be viewed by using Adobe Acrobat software. If you would like download this free software, visit the Adobe web site.
