The battle for transparency looms large in Washington. It didn’t take very long. It’s the New Year, and already, a new set of rules on Capitol Hill. This time, the House changes the rules in THEIR favor, making it even harder for watchdogs to call them on the carpet. You’ve heard of the Ethics Committee. Rules in place, to keep politicians in check. Some of these ethics rules are the very reason New York Congressman Michael Grimm was forced to resign from power just this week. Now, the Ethics Commission is losing its foothold. The new language in the bill applies to both of the two main watchdog groups. It says they "may not take any action that would deny any person any right or protection provided under the Constitution of the United States." And if a Congressman is charged or accused, they highlighted new language in the bill, essentially allowing the accused party to get a head start on covering their tracks. It really reads a lot like the Miranda rights, officers read to suspects when taking them into arrest. Any politician facing investigation "shall be informed of the right to be represented by counsel and invoking that right should not be held negatively against them." Lawmakers have disputed the Ethics Commission for years, because it makes all findings open to the public. Those who serve in a public office seem to want their right to privacy. It will be interesting to find out if this new Congress holds the privacy of the public in the same high regard. http://usat.ly/1KmQwWE http://usat.ly/1HORGIv Support Indymedia! Donate USD: http://nnn.is/donate-dollars Donate BTC: http://nnn.is/donate-bitcoin Download your free Next News "Heroes & Villains" Poster here: http://bit.ly/KgbQD5 LIVE: http://bit.ly/1eChpVo Facebook: http://on.fb.me/18RdIek Twitter: http://bit.ly/1eChqZD Sub: http://NNN.is/the_new_media Meet the Next News Team: http://bit.ly/18RdIen Hashtag: #N3 #HL
House Rules Banish Watchdogs
The battle for transparency looms large in Washington. It didn’t take very long. It’s the New Year, and already, a new set of rules on Capitol Hill. This time, the House changes the rules in THEIR favor, making it even harder for watchdogs to call them on the carpet. You’ve heard of the Ethics Committee. Rules in place, to keep politicians in check. Some of these ethics rules are the very reason New York Congressman Michael Grimm was forced to resign from power just this week. Now, the Ethics Commission is losing its foothold. The new language in the bill applies to both of the two main watchdog groups. It says they "may not take any action that would deny any person any right or protection provided under the Constitution of the United States." And if a Congressman is charged or accused, they highlighted new language in the bill, essentially allowing the accused party to get a head start on covering their tracks. It really reads a lot like the Miranda rights, officers read to suspects when taking them into arrest. Any politician facing investigation "shall be informed of the right to be represented by counsel and invoking that right should not be held negatively against them." Lawmakers have disputed the Ethics Commission for years, because it makes all findings open to the public. Those who serve in a public office seem to want their right to privacy. It will be interesting to find out if this new Congress holds the privacy of the public in the same high regard. http://usat.ly/1KmQwWE http://usat.ly/1HORGIv Support Indymedia! Donate USD: http://nnn.is/donate-dollars Donate BTC: http://nnn.is/donate-bitcoin Download your free Next News "Heroes & Villains" Poster here: http://bit.ly/KgbQD5 LIVE: http://bit.ly/1eChpVo Facebook: http://on.fb.me/18RdIek Twitter: http://bit.ly/1eChqZD Sub: http://NNN.is/the_new_media Meet the Next News Team: http://bit.ly/18RdIen Hashtag: #N3 #HL
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