Target: Michael Guest, Chair of U.S. House Committee on Ethics
Goal: Strengthen and enforce codes of conduct for elected members of Congress.
Two members of Congress have resigned following allegations of sexual misconduct. Several women accused California Representative Eric Swalwell of harassment, assault, and rape. In the face of mounting public pressure, Swalwell first suspended his campaign for governor of the state and then announced his resignation from Congress. Within days, Texas Representative Tony Gonzales went public with his own resignation. Gonzales had faced weeks of calls for his expulsion after he first denied, then admitted to an affair with a married employee who later committed suicide. While both of these men were ousted from their powerful positions, critics believe true accountability for wrongdoing by America’s elected representatives is still elusive.
Reported bad behaviors from Congress are typically handled by the ten-member House Committee on Ethics. Unfortunately, the process for launching an investigation is long and fraught with delays. In some cases, even getting an investigation off the ground proves to be an insurmountable roadblock. At least two other members of Congress who have faced allegations of unethical conduct have yet to be investigated. And the rules that are put in place – particularly rules relating to mismanagement of campaign funds and of stock trading amongst members – are often easily averted or not enforced.
Sign the petition below to demand this committee that’s supposed to hold public servants to a higher standard do its intended job.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Representative Guest,
The U.S. House Committee on Ethics has been a cornerstone of Congress for nearly six decades. This committee is the only one with equal numbers of members from each party for a reason. Integrity, transparency, and bipartisan support for a code of conduct are essential. The recent resignations of two members of Congress have exposed the fractures in this process.
Investigations into these members – and others who have been accused of wrongdoing – were slow in coming. As a result, these representatives never had to face accountability for their alleged misconduct from their peers or from the people. And even when investigations are launched, what are the consequences? Enforcement or even clear guidelines related to violations, whether they be of a personal or a financial nature, have historically been lacking. Why, for example, has it proven so difficult to bring stock trading guardrails amongst members forth for a vote?
Perhaps this committee needs to take a hard look at its own ethical standards and work to create a forceful, unflinching code of conduct – and an equally strong enforcement policy – before the next scandal strips Congress of its remaining shreds of credibility.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Cecil W. Stoughton
