Dec 18, 2007 -- Ethics Committee's Convention Party Travesty: Statement of Meredith McGehee, Campaign Legal Center Policy Director

The "Ethics Committee" could not have sent a clearer message that it has no interest in repairing its tattered reputation or reigning in the pay-to-play excesses at Party conventions. Once again the Committee has chosen the path of least resistance, ignoring voter outrage and in essence saying, "Let the band play on."

The recent decision by the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct ("Ethics Committee") to gut the rules stopping the lavish convention parties paid for by lobbyists to "honor" their favorite Members of Congress shows why the congressional ethics process has lost its credibility. For those who wonder why some of us are pushing for a more independent, outside voice in the process, this decision to allow these lobbyist-funded parties despite the clear intent and language of the rules should put an end to the protests by those who defend the current ethics process. This decision demonstrates that the public cynicism about the congressional ethics process is - unfortunately - well earned.

Leadership must step in at this juncture and correct this cynical and self-serving rule if the Ethics Committee does not quickly and drastically reverse itself. The Committee should withdraw the guidance on parties at the national conventions that it issued on December 11, 2007, and issue new guidance that properly implements, rather than destroys, the new House ethics rule. After all, the new House ethics rule was adopted to prevent lobbyists from throwing lavish parties for Representatives at the party conventions. There is simply no excuse for gutting that new rule.

To read the letter sent to the Ethics Committee today by the Legal Center and other members of a reform coalition, click here.