Ethics Package Will Beat Back the Culture of Corruption (Rep. Betty Sutton)

Yesterday, freshmen Democrats in the House gathered to announce our support for a nonpartisan, independent entity that will initiate and participate in ethics investigations.  As members of Congress, we have a responsibility to beat back the culture and abuses that have hurt the American people – both in policy and in spirit.  We must remain vigilant in the fight to eradicate corruption from this institution and restore the public trust.  Safeguarding the trust of the American people is not a part time job, and the formation of this independent ethics body will help cure the structural flaws inherent in our current system.

On my first day in office representing the people of Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, I stood on the House floor in support of the new ethics rules package.  This package put an end to the infamous K Street Project, put an end to outrageous gifts, perks and lobbyist-paid trips for members of Congress and their staffers, and made a historic move towards cleansing the inner workings of government.  This rules package was extraordinary in its scope and breadth – but it was only a beginning.

Keeping faith with our constituents must be at the forefront of our minds in everything we do.  The establishment of a nonpartisan, independent ethics body is a necessary step to ensure that we have a process that keeps the faith of those who elected us.