Wynn steps down from Energy and Commerce panel

Rep. Albert Wynn (D-Md.), whose decision to accept a position with a lobbying firm while still a legislator prompted criticism from ethics watchdogs, has announced that he is stepping down from the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

{mosads}“While I believe I’ve complied with both the letter and spirit of the ethics laws, as well as engaged in the appropriate recusals, I am stepping down so that this issue will not be a distraction from the critical work of the committee to combat climate change, achieve energy independence and protect our environment,” Wynn said in a statement sent to The Hill Thursday.

Wynn, who lost a February primary to challenger Donna Edwards, announced last month that he has taken a job with the law and lobbying firm Dickstein Shapiro, and recused himself from matters that would create a conflict of interest. But his decision to stay in office until June had prompted critics to charge that he has a conflict of interest between his constituents and his future employer.

Six ethics groups had sent Wynn a letter, also on Thursday, urging him to step down from the committee, saying too many of Dickstein Shapiro’s clients have business before the committee. The groups are the Campaign Legal Center, the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Public Citizen, Democracy 21 and U.S. PIRG. In a separate release, the Campaign Legal Center called on Wynn to step down entirely.

A spokesman for Wynn said he had notified House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) of his decision to step down from the committee Wednesday, before the letter was issued.