House Republicans alter course on ethics committee but not Trump

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night the House Republican Conference voted 119-74 to weaken the independent Office of Congressional Ethics during a closed door meeting. After significant push back House Republicans scrapped the proposal.

Friends of the Earth Climate and Energy Director Benjamin Schreiber issued the following response:

The House Republican attempt to end the independence of the Office of Congressional ethics showed their true colors. The last 24 hours is a warning that with a unified government Republicans want to avoid accountability.

Now that Congress has backtracked, it is time to turn focus back on Trump’s unprecedented ethics conflicts. Trump is already using the presidency to enrich himself and he must divest himself from his businesses. Washington might have avoided one problem today but the Republicans have no plan to address Trump’s conflicts of interest in the future.

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Contact: Kate Colwell, (202) 222-0744, [email protected]