DeLauro Statement on the House Republicans’ Vote to Gut the Office of Congressional Ethics

WASHINGTON, DC (January 3, 2017) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding the House Republican Conference's attempt to include the Goodlatte Amendment in the rules package. Under this Amendment, House Republicans would have stripped the Office of Congressional Ethics of its independence, eliminated its ability to review anonymous complaints, and destroyed a key source of Congressional accountability.

"Last night's vote by House Republicans' to gut the Office of Congressional Ethics was a disgraceful attempt to reduce transparency and accountability in the People's House. As the independent investigative arm of the House, the Office of Congressional Ethics has a critical role in ensuring that Members of Congress act in full faith of the American people, not for special interests or corporations.

"With President-elect Trump's own ethical issues and his refusal to explain to the American people how he plans to divest from his company, we cannot afford to remove other sources of accountability in our nation's government. The House of Representative's must set a high standard in how it conducts its business and I am pleased that House Republicans reversed course to keep this office.

"However, I still strongly urge my colleagues to vote against the rules package, which denies Members the freedom of speech while punishing them for speaking their mind on the House floor. These changes to House rules represent a complete unconstitutional grab for power by House Republicans and are a disgrace to this institution."