Ohio Valley Politics

Both Charlie Wilson and Zack Space supported a recently passed change to the House rules that sets up an independent panel (called the “Office of Congressional Ethics”) to investigate ethics investigations of House members.

The panel will consist of six members appointed by the Speaker of the House and the minority leader and will not contain sitting members of congress or lobbyists.

“Since Day One in Congress, I have been calling for an independent panel to investigate Congressional ethics,” Space said.  “We simply cannot rely on friends and colleagues to instigate and conduct investigations into alleged ethical breaches.  This bill will stop the practice of relying on the fox to guard the henhouse.”

“This legislation will go a long way in bringing transparency to the process, increasing the efficacy of the ethics oversight process, and restoring the faith of the American public in their elected officials.  We still have a long way to go, but this is yet another great step in the right direction.”

– Rep. Zack Space

Space’s release notes that the bill is similar to legislation he introduced last year with Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT).