Ethics in the News

Showdown looms for financial reform

SOURCE: Victoria McGrane // Politico

9 Mar 2010 // If there were any question that the stakes are high for financial reform, consider this: Even the Defense Department is getting into the fight.

Flake to offer measure on earmark guidelines

SOURCE: Susan Crabtree // The Hill

8 Mar 2010 // Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) is trying to refocus public scrutiny on earmarks after a rash of scandals has plagued House Democrats.

Flake plans to offer a privileged resolution on the House floor this week that would ask the ethics committee to provide better guidance on accepting campaign contributions from entities requesting earmarks.

Massa Details Ethics Case Against Him, Blames Democratic Leaders

SOURCE: Jennifer Yachnin // Roll Call

8 Mar 2010 // Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) told a New York radio station Sunday that an ethics investigation into his behavior focused on sexually-charged comments he made to an aide at a New Year’s Eve celebration, but claimed he was unaware of an ethics committee investigation into the incident until after he had announced his retirement last week.

Ethics Panel Probed Lightly Into PMA

SOURCE: Paul Singer // Roll Call

8 Mar 2010 // The Feb. 26 ethics committee report concluding that no House Members colluded with the PMA Group lobbying firm to exchange earmarks for campaign contributions indicated that the committee had been investigating the matter since the spring of 2009.

Majority Eyes Earmark Ban

SOURCE: Tory Newmyer // Roll Call

8 Mar 2010 // As they try to reclaim the ethical high ground during a difficult stretch, House Democratic leaders are considering a dramatic move: declaring a party-wide ban on earmarks this year.

Sen. John McCain wants J.D. Hayworth to reveal donors

SOURCE: Dan Nowicki // Arizona Republic

8 Mar 2010 // In an increasingly bitter Republican primary fight, Sen. John McCain is pressuring rival J.D. Hayworth to release the names of the benefactors who are helping Hayworth settle legal bills accumulated while preparing for a possible Justice Department investigation in connection with corrupt lobbyist Jack Abramoff.