Breaking: House Republicans Back Down on Gutting Ethics Office – for Now

Congressional Republicans Still Plan to Weaken Ethics Body at Later Date

House Republicans will strip an amendment to the rules package that would have gutted the House Office of Congressional Ethics, an independent nonpartisan watchdog that was created under then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi to strengthen the ability of manage ethics challenges.

But the decision to remove the highly controversial amendment to the rules of the incoming Congressional session does not mean the Office of Congressional Ethics is safe. House members could simply strip its funding, or find other ways to weaken the OCE.

Unfortunately, both CNN and MSNBC gave credit to Donald Trump for the last-minute change, after the president-elect tweeted concern – not with the gutting of the OCE – but with Republicans’ timing.

There was an uprising overnight as word spread via social media and constituents began to call their representatives to demand the OCE be saved.

UPDATE I: 12:27 PM EST –
As NCRM just reported, “for now.”
Gutting the OCE will come back after Americans have stopped paying attention. “Optics” were bad, but the GOP will push forward:

 

This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.