House Ethics Panel Weakens Disclosure Rules for Free Lawmaker Junkets

[cali]

The House Ethics Committee quietly weakened disclosure requirements for all-expense-paid junkets that lawmakers use to travel around the world for free.

The panel, without any public announcement other than a change to its annual guidance booklet to members, dropped a requirement that lawmakers include in their annual financial disclosure forms references to any privately-sponsored trips they took in the previous year, National Journal reported Tuesday.

The change removes a convenient way for reporters and watchdogs to keep tabs on members’ free travel. The lawmakers still have to seek Ethics Committee approval for the trips and disclosure them publicly via the website of the House’s Office of the Clerk.

After news of the rule change broke, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) urged the Ethics Committee to reconsider.

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http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dc/house-ethics-panel-weakens-disclosure-rules-free-lawmaker-junkets-blog-entry-1.1850849

[octoberlib]

1. Every time I think the corruption can't get any worse ....

[SamKnause]

2. The House Ethics Committee.

What a fucking joke.

They don't know the meaning of the word ethics.

Corrupt Greedy Assholes Committee is closer to the truth.