Conquer Club

Republicans in the US House of Representatives have voted to weaken the body that investigates claims of misconduct against members of Congress.

Under the change, the independent Office of Congressional Ethics would come under the control of the House Ethics Committee.

Republican leaders in the House had opposed the change. The newly elected Congress meets later and the full House will vote on the proposed new rules.

Democrats reacted angrily to the vote.

Democratic leader in the House, Nancy Pelosi, said the amendment to the rules would effectively destroy the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE).

"Republicans claim they want to 'drain the swamp,' but the night before the new Congress gets sworn in, the House GOP [Republican Party] has eliminated the only independent ethics oversight of their actions" she said in a statement.

"Evidently, ethics are the first casualty of the new Republican Congress".

The lawmakers' surprise vote to strip the Office of Congressional Ethics of its independence prompted public outcry and a tweet from Donald Trump.

"Focus on tax reform, healthcare and so many other things of far greater importance!" the president-elect tweeted.

The proposal was then dropped in an emergency meeting at the new Congress, unnamed lawmakers told the US media.

Donald Trump's tweets have teeth. The president-elect took to social media to express his displeasure with the move and within hours those legislative efforts were abandoned.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38499284

In a complete reversal, the House GOP moved to withdraw proposed changes they approved the day before to official rules that would rein in the Office of congressional Ethics (OCE). Instead, the House will study changes to the office with an August deadline.

The about-face came hours after Trump took to Twitter to slam House Republicans for voting behind closed doors Monday night in favor of immediately weakening the independent ethics office. The vote defied House GOP leaders and complicated Trump’s “drain the swamp” campaign mantra.

“With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it . . . may be, their number one act and priority. Focus on tax reform, health care and so many other things of far greater importance!” Trump wrote on Twitter Tuesday morning, hours before the new Congress convened.

He added the hashtag “DTS” — shorthand for “drain the swamp.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpos ... f557c0b26e

mrswdk wrote:Was just about to post that same BBC story. Trump stamping his authority all over the Party, draining the swamp!

riskllama wrote:anyone else smell the foul stench of publicity stunt?

muy_thaiguy wrote:

riskllama wrote:anyone else smell the foul stench of publicity stunt?

Probably.
Surprised mrswdk and saxi aren't rooting for this to go through. You know, to become more like Russia's and China's governments and all.

saxitoxin wrote:

muy_thaiguy wrote:

riskllama wrote:anyone else smell the foul stench of publicity stunt?

Probably.
Surprised mrswdk and saxi aren't rooting for this to go through. You know, to become more like Russia's and China's governments and all.

In China, politicians who violate ethics laws are executed.

riskllama wrote:saxi, what's the best deal you've ever gotten whilst buying some dead falun gongers organs? i would like to know what a good deal is and what isn't.

saxitoxin wrote:

muy_thaiguy wrote:

riskllama wrote:anyone else smell the foul stench of publicity stunt?

Probably.
Surprised mrswdk and saxi aren't rooting for this to go through. You know, to become more like Russia's and China's governments and all.

In China, politicians who violate ethics laws are executed.

riskllama wrote:I agree w/your comparison, mrs - but how many of Xii's allies/friends had he sent to prison. all he's really doing is removing his rivals and you're trying to make it out as some noble cause. it isn't, and anyone who thinks otherwise is clearly an idiot.

riskllama wrote:I agree w/your comparison, mrs - but how many of Xii's allies/friends had he sent to prison. all he's really doing is removing his rivals and you're trying to make it out as some noble cause. it isn't, and anyone who thinks otherwise is clearly an idiot.

mrswdk wrote:Fresh from the news that only 10% of Americans actually approve of the work they do and the subsequent election of anti-Establishment populists to the White House, American politicians have decided the time has come to start dismantling the system of checks-and-balances.

riskllama wrote:if i wanted to purchase a bigger dick, i wouldn't be buying it from a dead chinaman.

TA1LGUNN3R wrote:

Dukasaur wrote:I suppose it would be pretty difficult for them to get less accountable.

riskllama wrote:

Dukasaur wrote:I suppose it would be pretty difficult for them to get less accountable.

if you will it, it is no dream - Theodor Herzl

TA1LGUNN3R wrote:

riskllama wrote:

Dukasaur wrote:I suppose it would be pretty difficult for them to get less accountable.

if you will it, it is no dream - Theodor Herzl

What the f*ck you talking about, man?

-TG

Bernie Sanders wrote:Shameful! There should be an outpouring of outrage!