[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 76 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H4301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     DISBAND THE CURRENT COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT

  (Mr. WESTMORELAND asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, in fairness to Members of this body 
who have been subjected to a cloud of suspicion over ethics 
allegations, I rise today to call for the House to disband the current 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and reconstitute it as a 
panel that can convene and hear the cases pending before it.
  A report in the Washington Post today says the committee may be 
inactive for months and it may not take up politically charged 
accusations against a high-ranking leader until next year, which just 
happens to be an election year.
  The Post says, ``Democrats are hoping to gain political advantage 
from investigations into DeLay's activities and overseas travel and his 
ties to lobbyist Jack Abramoff.''
  Even the Democratic-friendly Washington Post sees the political 
calculations behind the minority's tactics.
  The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct is stalled by a 
partisan logjam, and I see only one way to unplug it: reconstitute the 
panel with Members resolved to work together so that it can move 
forward with its work. If this good-faith effort fails again, the House 
needs to install a Republican majority on the committee so that the 
wheels of good government can turn once more.
  Mr. Speaker, this body rescinded the ethics rules passed earlier this 
Congress to appease the minority's demands. Yet, the minority party 
continues to obstruct the objectives of the Ethics Committee at every 
turn.
  I believe the Republican majority should pass whatever rules 
necessary so the committee can and will act fairly to hear the pending 
cases before it--cases that involve both Republicans and Democrats.
  Members accused of violations deserve a chance to make their cases 
and perhaps clear their names.

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