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Democratic Whip Calls on Members to Support Resolution Restoring Bipartisan Ethics Rules

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) delivered the following statement on the House Floor this morning, urging Members on both sides of the aisle to support a Resolution introduced by Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV) to restore bipartisan ethics rules:
 
"Mr. Speaker, the integrity of this People’s House supersedes the interests of any individual member who is privileged to serve here or either political party.
 
"We bear an individual duty – as well as a collective obligation – to abide by the highest ethical standards and to conduct ourselves in a manner that instills public confidence in this institution.
 
"Yet today, the ethics process in this House is at a standstill.
 
"Our bipartisan process to address alleged ethics violations has been stymied by a partisan roadblock that is inconsistent with the purpose and history of the Ethics Committee.
 
"The Ranking Member of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Mr. Mollohan) has introduced a Resolution that would remove this roadblock and restore the ethics rules that were adopted on a bipartisan basis in 1997.
 
"I urge my colleagues: support Mr. Mollohan’s Resolution.
 
"Let’s restore the ethics rules that guided us for the last four Congresses.
 
"Let’s ensure that our ethics process is bipartisan, and commands the respect of the American people."

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