GOP moves to strip power away from ethics body by moving oversight from an independent group to the lawmakers themselves

It's not heavy, it's my brother! Incredible moment Utah boy, two, shows superhero strength and saves his twin from being crushed by a falling dresser
University of Wisconsin freshman, 19, and her father named as the remaining two passengers onboard six-seater plane that vanished from radar over Lake Erie just days after Christmas
Four people are killed in New Year's Eve plane crash - just minutes after they posted photos of lightning on Snapchat
Assange says he is '1,000% confident' that Russia was NOT the source for hacked Democratic emails which were published by WikiLeaks
Will the world end in October? Conspiracy theorist claims mysterious planet Nibiru will smash into Earth
Daring New York gang steals $6MILLION in diamonds from under the noses of thousands of NYPD cops who were watching Times Square NYE celebrations
Mayhem at airports as immigration system inexplicably crashes - causing huge lines and hours of disruption on one of the busiest travel days of the year, but officials dismiss suggestion of hacking
Soccer star's wife reveals how she was diagnosed with throat cancer when she went to the doctor with a COLD
The terrifying power of mega tsunamis: How an unlikely wave could wipe out the ENTIRE east coast of the US
The 25 PAIN-FREE ways to boost your health in 2017 - including using chopsticks, drinking Chilean wine and having coffee before working out
Revealed: Whether green, brown or red, what the colour of your PHLEGM says about your health
'I'm gay': Sister Wives' daughter Mariah, 21, shocks her parents by coming out as a lesbian
America's first bishop to be indicted over sexual abuse of children dies aged 83
Four young siblings are killed and a further six relatives are hospitalized by poisonous gas from MOUSE PESTICIDE sprayed under their home
Something stinks! Internet sleuth says he can prove viral coin-operated toilet installed by 'world's stingiest landlord' is a FAKE - so what do you think?
The four EASIEST kitchen hacks that will change your life (including making mince using a cheese grater and using egg whites if you've added too much salt)
We are proof Dry January really IS worth doing: Five drinkers who gave up alcohol for a month reveal their astonishing results
At least five dead as storms sweep the South with even more rain expected today
South Korean president accused of corruption REFUSES to testify at her impeachment trial - a day after her aide's showjumping daughter, 20, is arrested in Denmark
Don't drop your life for your partner, avoid talking about your ex and NEVER become clingy: The six things you shouldn't do if you want your relationship to last the distance
United Airlines employee is found trapped in a plane's baggage hold after a flight from North Carolina to Virginia
Only two weeks to go: Downbeat-looking Sasha and Malia return from Hawaii with their parents after last vacation on Air Force One
'It's organized chaos!': White House staff reveal preparations for inauguration moving day - when they'll have just SIX HOURS to move out the Obamas and move in the Trumps
Rebecca Ferguson 'accepts' invitation to sing at Trump's inauguration... if she can perform track protesting racism

Congressman Bob Goodlatte proposed to gut the Office of Congressional Ethics
Speaker Ryan is against this proposal but it was pushed through the house 119-74
Rep Goodlatte claims this will improve 'rights for individuals under investigation'

By Afp and Kaileen Gaul For Dailymail.com

Published: 23:04 EST, 2 January 2017 | Updated: 02:42 EST, 3 January 2017

e-mail

214

View
comments

Despite opposition from Speaker Paul Ryan, Republicans in the US House of Representatives backed a proposal to take ethics oversight away from an independent group and give the authority to the lawmakers themselves.

The proposal by Republican congressman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia would gut the independent Office of Congressional Ethics which already does not punish lawmakers. On Monday it was approved 119-74.

House speaker Paul Ryan opposed changing ethics rules but legislators disregarded his leadership on the issue.

Republicans in the US Congress back a proposal to take ethics oversight away from an independent body, despite opposition from Speaker Paul Ryan and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi

Congressman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia proposed the Office of Congressional Ethics should not be handled by an independent group

Goodlatte maintains that altering the ethics review process 'strengthens the mission' of the office.

'It also improves upon due process rights for individuals under investigation, as well as witnesses called to testify. The (ethics office) has a serious and important role in the House, and this amendment does nothing to impede their work,' he said in a written statement Monday.

Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California, the House Minority Leader, voiced dismay.

'Republicans claim they want to "drain the swamp," but the night before the new Congress gets sworn in, the House GOP has eliminated the only independent ethics oversight of their actions.

Rep Goodlatte maintains that gutting the ethics review process 'strengthens the mission' of the office

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senator Elizabeth Warren voiced their dissent towards the GOP proposal

'Evidently, ethics are the first casualty of the new Republican Congress,' she said in a statement.

'The amendment Republicans approved tonight would functionally destroy this office,' she added.

President-elect Donald Trump will have a Republican-led House and Senate, when he is sworn in January 20.

'Trump's cabinet of billionaires & CEOs have ignored gov ethics rules & dragged their feet on FBI background checks & financial disclosure,' Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren said on Twitter.