[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E373-E374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ESTABLISHING AN OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 11, 2008

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the Democratic majority's 
commitment to ethics reform. In the first 100 hours of this Congress, 
we adopted vital new rules ushering in a new era of openness and fiscal 
responsibility. We then reformed lobbying practices, and this year many 
of us voluntarily will reduce and disclose our earmark requests. To 
continue this commitment to transparency in government, I am pleased to 
support H. Res. 895 and the creation of an independent, bipartisan 
Office of Congressional Ethics.

[[Page E374]]

  A smooth functioning and credible ethics process is critical for both 
the reputations of individual members of Congress and for the future of 
the institution itself. I have consistently supported reform of the 
existing process. At the beginning of 2007, my colleague Greg Walden 
and I reintroduced legislation, the ``Ethics Reform Act,'' which 
abolishes the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and 
establishes a fully independent ethics review process. This plan gives 
oversight authority to a panel of former Members, and empowers the 
independent office to oversee the actions and filings of lobbyists and 
offices.
  While the measure we consider today differs significantly from my 
bill, the spirit behind it is the same. If the intent of having members 
of Congress sit in judgment of their colleagues is to provide both a 
Constitutional check on impropiety and maintain public confidence in 
the institution, then I believe the present system has failed both the 
test of timely justice and of public opinion. Vesting the power of 
preliminary investigation with an independent board can lift the day-
to-day work above partisanship and still keep any punishment of 
violators safely within the purview of the Congress. I believe a more 
independent process will provide greater fairness for both Members 
under review and for the public that demands greater accountability.
  The bill before us today initiates the changes that many of us seek 
and our constituents demand. Ultimately, I would like to see reform 
that fully removes sitting Members from the task of investigating their 
peers, and that instead gives that authority to independent individuals 
with a firsthand understanding of Congress. However I remain profoundly 
encouraged with the progress we have made on the issue of Congressional 
accountability. Instituting the independent ethics mechanism as 
outlined in this bill will benefit Congress, and ultimately, the 
American people.

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