Staff Reports
House Democrats Make Bipartisan Ethics Reform a Partisan Issue
A proposed bipartisan bill that would have increased ethical standards for the executive branch, championed by members from both sides of the aisle, might be scuttled in committee due to opposition from the Biden administration. The bill, endorsed by Kentucky Republican Rep. James Comer and California Democrat Rep. Katie Porter, initially had support from both Democrats and Republicans. However, the bill lost Democratic support after the White House reportedly reached out to Democratic lawmakers.
Three Democrats, including Reps. Ro Khanna of California, Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, and Kweisi Mfume of Maryland, withdrew their support for the bill, claiming it was too partisan and lacked bipartisan effort. However, the bill mainly focused on disclosure requirements for presidents and vice presidents regarding tax returns, conflicts of interest, and foreign income, aiming to restore trust in the executive branch.
Biden Administration Accused of Intervening to Kill Bipartisan Bill Aimed at Holding White House Accountable via @WestJournalism https://t.co/a7bonA5iAe
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The bill’s sponsors emphasized that the legislation was not targeting any specific president but was meant to set the right rules to restore trust in the government. The disclosure requirements, including detailing loans made to family members and documenting travel on Air Force One for family members, were meant to ensure transparency and accountability, without singling out any particular individual. Without support from Democratic sponsors, the Kentucky lawmaker, Comer, expressed concern that the bill might not be able to advance through the committee.
The sudden withdrawal of Democratic support for the bill raises questions about the motives behind the opposition. The bill’s provisions, which aimed to enhance ethical standards and transparency, should have garnered bipartisan support. However, with the Biden administration’s reported intervention, the bill faces an uncertain future in the committee.
