Making the Swamp Murkier

Donald Trump has often talked about reforming the government or, in his words, “draining the swamp”. Unfortunately a majority of House Republicans want to make it murkier. Yesterday they voted to make the independent Office of Congressional Ethics report to Congress.

There has been a problem of partisan groups filing complaints to make trouble for members they dislike. This could have been handled with some tweaks instead of destroying the office’s independence.

This is an incredibly stupid decision. Not only does it lower the reputation of Congress, but it opens up Republicans to charges of bias in handling ethics complaints. This action was blasted by many in both parties, including Donald Trump. Republicans have had second thoughts and will not make the change.
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For the last eight years the House Republicans have been the “Party of No”. Now is the time for them to step up and govern. Trying to destroy the independence of ethics investigations has them off to a bad start.
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