Statement of Chairman Joel Hefley

I am opposed to the ethics provisions that are in the draft rules package at the instance of the Rules Committee and intend to vote against it on the House floor tomorrow.  However, I am traveling today and will be unable to appear at the Republican Conference meeting tonight. If I were present, I would offer amendments to the draft proposals.  I have always strongly supported re-evaluating the ethics rules and procedures and making changes wherever a need is shown. In particular, I think a number of the criticisms of the ethics process that have been made over the past year are well taken and must be looked at closely. However, this is not the way to effect meaningful reform. Ethics reform must be bipartisan and this package is not bipartisan. If the House is to have a meaningful, bipartisan ethics process, changes of this magnitude can be made-as they were made in 1997 and 1989-only after thoughtful, careful consideration on a bipartisan basis.