Thank Speaker Pelosi for her work on ethics

Congress recently passed a law that – we hope – will end an era of congressional self-policing that allowed the Jack Abramoffs of the world to play fast and loose with our democracy. 

Congress voted to do what 23 states already do—use an independent office to enforce ethics rules. The measure, which passed by a vote of 229-182, gives an independent panel the authority to investigate allegations of ethical misconduct against elected officials.

Sign the letter below to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi for coming through on one of her big promises, to make this the most open and accountable Congress in history.

Dear Speaker Pelosi;
 
We, the undersigned, applaud your leadership in the successful effort to pass H. Res 895 to create an Office of Congressional Ethics.   We understand that changing the culture in Washington will take time and was met with great resistance but this new office will provide the necessary independent oversight that Congress has lacked for far too long. 
 
This vote was about going beyond the campaign rhetoric of reform and taking a concrete step to correct what has been a dysfunctional ethics process. Congress now has an opportunity to get past the recent failures of the House to ensure honest representation on behalf of the American people.  It means that the new rules passed just last year to limit the special access of powerful interests will be effectively enforced.  The creation of the new Office strikes at the status quo and establishes an independent and open process that will lead to greater accountability.  
 
House leadership made good on their commitments to the public to aggressively work for changes that will rein in the ethical abuses we have witnessed in the past few years.  We urge you to continue to fight for measures to ensure that when Congress acts, it does so in the interests of the public they serve.
 
Sincerely,