Biden admin accused of influencing House Dems to back out from ethics bill, Internet calls it 'red flag'
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) effort to introduce a bipartisan White House ethics bill has collapsed after three Democrats reportedly withdrew their support.
Porter and Comer had reportedly worked for weeks to get an equal number of lawmakers from both the Republican and the Democratic parties to support their Presidential Ethics Reform Act, as reported by the Washington Examiner.
James Comer describes White House ethics bill
In an official May statement, Comer defined the act, saying, “The Presidential Ethics Reform Act is landmark bipartisan legislation that delivers the transparency and accountability the American people deserve to ensure our public offices are not for sale.”
“Influence peddling is a cottage industry in Washington and we’ve identified deficiencies in current law that have led to a culture of corruption,” he noted.
Comer added, “By creating this bipartisan legislation to provide greater transparency to the financial interactions related to the office of the president and vice-president, we can ensure that moving forward American presidents, vice presidents, and their family members cannot profit from their proximity to power.”
The duo even succeeded in getting lawmakers to their side but on Monday, June 17, it shattered.
Katie Porter shares her disappointment
Porter shared, as reported by The Hill, “I was excited to come to Washington to introduce my bill. And was proud that I had found three senior Democratic co-sponsors.”
“When I landed, I was really disappointed to learn that those co-sponsors had decided not to support the bill and had conversations with the White House,” she stated.
The publication revealed that Reps Ro Khanna (Calif), Raja Krishnamoorthi (Ill), and Kweisi Mfume (Md) were the three democrats who backed out from being the co-sponsors.
Ro Khanna says the bill was not ‘bipartisan enough’
Khanna even spoke to The Hill as he presented his side. He said, “It’s too partisan a tool to cudgel the president as opposed to a serious effort of bipartisan ethics reform.”
“I don’t think it was bipartisan enough,” he noted, before asserting that his decision was his own. “I made the decision independently. No one called me,” he added.
Mfume revealed his reason for dropping off too. He said, “I wanted to see a larger bipartisan effort. I was under the belief that there would be, and when there wasn’t, I just said, ‘Let me step off.’”
He also insisted that the Biden administration did not pressure him.
Katie Porter still believes there is hope
Despite the setback, Porter is hopeful as she mentioned, “Our job in Congress is to pass legislation that improves our government. This legislation does that. It is not to punish or reward friends or enemies.”
“It is to pass legislation that improves the lives of the American people and improves our democracy, and this legislation meets that test. That’s why I’m proud to support it,” she continued.
Porter added, “I think that’s the question people should be asking themselves. Not, ‘Who’s the sponsor?’ or ‘Who wrote it?’ but instead, ‘Is this legislation that would make our democracy stronger?’ And the answer is a clear, unqualified yes.”
Netizens call Biden ‘man void of ethics’
Meanwhile, people have reacted online over the latest development as a reader below the Fox News article commented, “Would be interesting for the public to view the document on ethics. Reform is a populist item, all Americans agree that our Congress and our Executive Branches are out of control and in need of some lassoing and branding irons. Funny how the democrats are not interested in changing the status quo for these two branches, but somehow thinks our Supreme Court needs to be reigned in.......”
Another reader shared, “Don't worry, I am sure those democrats and Biden will suddenly support the bill when he is about to leave office. Of course, it also won't apply until the next administration. This is if Trump wins of course. Otherwise, they will delay it until they can use it as a weapon while avoiding allowing it to be used against them.”
“The last thing democrats want is a Federal Ethics bill when they are in power,” a third one stated.
A fourth one remarked, “Of course. Why would a man void of ethics support an ethics bill.”
“Surprising, Biden was not on board less than 5 months away from his bid for re-election. This is a red flag as to what the dems are doing,” a fifth one added.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
