Public Campaign Action Fund - ethics

Outsider Ethics

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:31:04 -0500

In a move both symbolically significant and indicative of a grudging willingness to change, the House of Representatives has voted to create an independent ethics office composed of six nonpartisan officials tasked with fielding ethics allegations and reporting out to the public on what allegations have merit.

Catch Up, Senate

Katie Schlieper — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:19:10 -0500

The Senate has some 'splaining to do for lagging behind their counterparts in the House on two important ethics bills. The New York Times chides them for dragging their heels. While the House has voted in favor of banning the use of campaign contributions to pay spouses of House candidates, and files campaign finance disclosure reports electronically the Senate has approved neither of these simple, sensible reforms.

The Doughnut Dilemma

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:34:43 -0500

Here's what happens on Capitol Hill when you change the rules but not the game: a bunch of lobbyists and their legal advisors get together to hammer out a policy on tuna sandwiches. As new lobbying regulations go in to effect cutting into the lavish dinners and other events lobbyists had previously held to woo members of Congress, they're putting their heads together to find all the loopholes.

Ethics Bill Becomes Law

Adam Smith — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:11:09 -0500

On Friday, President Bush signed into law the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 (S. 1)--one of the most sweeping ethics and lobbying reform bills in decades. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) said the bill was "the most sweeping ethics reform since Watergate."

Equal Enforcement?

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:11:18 -0500

We're not the only ones questioning McConnell's track record today. USA Today is wondering about his...uneven...enforcement of ethics policies among his Senate Republicans. They focus in particular on McConnell's quick shunning of Sen. Larry Craig but much lighter treatment of Sen. Ted Stevens, even as the corruption probe surrounding the former heats up.

Two Steps Forward or Three Steps Back?

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:31:09 -0500

With President Bush still mulling over whether to sign the lobbying and ethics reform bill passed by Congress, there are those who are lauding legislative efforts to thwart corruption, and those lamenting that those laws need to be written in the first place.

Jefferson Update

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 16:19:18 -0500

Looks like the House Ethics Committee investigation of Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) will be postponed until his after he heads to court in January to face indictment on 16 counts including soliciting bribes, money laundering, obstruction of justice, wire fraud, conspiracy, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, to avoid "interfering with the criminal prosecution and related ongoing investigation."

You're Not...Serious? Are You?

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:59:51 -0500

You can't make this stuff up: Sen. Stevens (he of the freshly raided home) is threatening to place a hold on the ethics overhaul bill just passed by the House. From The Politico: "The senator told a closed session of fellow Republicans today, including Vice President Dick Cheney, that he was upset that the measure would interfere with his travel to and from Alaska – and vowed to block it."

He Was Against It Before He Was For It

Katie Schlieper — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 11:56:14 -0500

Sen. Mitch McConnell(R-KY) is so opposed to ethics and lobbying reform he supports it. It's so right it's wrong.

Please "Hammer," Don't Hurt 'Em

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 10 May 2007 15:14:12 -0500

Help, I'm pinned under about a ton of irony: indicted former Rep. Tom DeLay is participating in a panel discussion on campaign tactics and ethics. All of you aspiring to a political career marked by corrupting greed and resignation in disgrace, mark your calendars.