After the Jack Abramoff, Tom Delay, and Duke Cunningham scandals rocked their party, the Republicans in the House are still unwilling to get serious on passing an ethics reform bill.Conventional wisdom would suggest that after those scandals, the GOP would want to clean up their act.
However, that is far for the situation.
They are sitting on their hands and doing nothing. They seem totally unconcerned about ethics reform.
That was evident when they elected John Boehner their new Majority Leader. Boehner is very close to K Street and has already said that he is against ethics reform.
It is time for the House Republicans to step up the plate and get serious about cleaning up Washington.
Congressman Ford has been a leader on ethics reform.
In January, he proposed the following reforms:
- Limits Lobbyist Influence: Limits the influence of lobbyists by requiring trip sponsors to declare that lobbyists have not been invited to travel or attend meetings with Members or staff. The trip sponsor cannot conduct lobbying activities on the trip and may not employ a registered lobbyist. The trip may not be financed by a corporation. The provision also prevents former Members of Congress from using their access to the House floor to lobby.
- Increases Fiscal Discipline: Increases fiscal discipline by prohibiting any budget bills from being considered by the House if it increases the federal budget deficit.
- Curbs Abuses of Power: Prohibits Members of Congress from conditioning the funding of earmarks on another Member's vote on legislation.
- Ends 2-day Work Weeks: Ends the current practice of two-day work weeks by calling Members to the floor for votes or debates four or five days a week.
- Know What the House Is Voting on: Prohibits the House from considering legislation unless it has been available to all Members of the House for at least 24 hours of consideration and review.
- Limits House Votes to 20 Minutes: No recorded votes in the House of Representatives can last longer than 20 minutes without the consent of either both floor managers or both leaders.
House Republicans should follow Congressman Ford's lead in restoring trust back in our government.
This is just another reason why we need Harold Ford Jr. in the U.S. Senate!
Read about Congressman Ford's actions on ethics reform here! (1 , 2, 3)
Read about John Boehner's views opposing ethics reform here!
Read about John Boehner's broken promises regarding ethics reform here!
