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FP Edit: WOW. Did not expect this to take off so quickly. So, I have been approached by many imgurians about this currently developing story. It does turn out that the House Republicans who spearheaded this bill have walked it back. I mistakenly commented below that this walk back was due to Trump's tweet today, which I will link below, along with other sources I've found. The tweet actually says (paraphrased) that President-Elect Trump likes the idea of abolishing the OCE, but that it is not a pressing issue at this time. (Thanks to @DocStrangeLuv @MontanaBanana @thevelvetbeard @tonystandsconscience @fuzzyone06 @badgerbadgersquared and many other fellow imgurians for bringing these details to my attention!)
So, although this bill has been shelved (most likely due to an overwhelming outrage of the American people), I do think it is important to keep this bill in the back of your minds. This bill is in writing, and it could slip through Congress any time the Republicans who wrote it want to send it through. Don't forget it when Trump decides to distract us with a tweet; that'll probably be when they try to slip it by us. That's obviously my opinion, I cannot say for a fact it will happen...
Anyways, thanks again, guys. #FreeRick
An article containing the Trump tweets: http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-trump-ethics-office-vote-20170103-story.html
A good, up to date article on what has happened so far: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/house-republicans-drop-bid-gut-ethics-board/
youreathing
It might slide in under an omnibus bill.
Daveh0411
http://www.npr.org/2017/01/02/507955013/house-gop-votes-to-strip-independence-from-congressional-ethics-office
ChomskyWouldnt
You know you've fked up when even Jack Abramoff is calling you out for being shady
bigian77
Seriously!
HamGrenade
Draining the swamp is pointless if you fill it back up with garbage and shit
o11c
Don't say "Republicans", name names.
Squanchers
It will be back. They voted over 63x to repeal Obamacare instead of doing the real work of proposing something better.
TheresAnUpvoteForThat
chekhonte
They drained to swamp to install a hole filled with shit.
fuck123456789
They are also gonna make sure no safety regulations get passed ever
spetcnaz
Why do Americans jeep voting for these morons. Seriously the congress since 2010 has been nothing but a useless tax burden.
spetcnaz
*keep
ImHereToTellYouThatsWrong
short version: by playing up partisan politics they can stay dispute being useless as long as they promise to stick it to the other side.
GalaxyExpress999
Be vigilant. If the past bills are any indication (CISPA comes to mind) they'll try to push it again and again.
TheFloridaiestMan
If I'm not mistaken they've tried a couple times aready.
TheresAnUpvoteForThat
GalaxyExpress999
Called it, although I wouldn't be surprised if they would try sneaking it in during an earlier holiday (Easter?)
bigian77
Exactly! That's what I tried to make clear in my Rdit
bigian77
Edit*
LosPer
We need this ethics board, but apparently there are problems with how it's being run. Fix the problems...
worldsokayestspeler
Well to play devil's advocate, they obviously havent been doing a great job so far
jackjohn666
SHUT THE FUCK UP AND GIVE ME MORE CATS GIFS!
Subsound
Yeah, you think the party that made corruption a rallying cry would want it strengthen the office and prosecute the corrupt
SomeCrazyNerd
Why do you think Trump ever roposed altering donor laws, just refused to take a superPAC? The only corruption they'll stop is their enemies.
SomeCrazyNerd
*Why do you think Trump never proposed altering donor laws, just refused to take a superPAC? Rather.
Subsound
I've found the GOP often accuses people of what they are doing. Like the guy who shouted liar at Obama was easily show to be lying himself
neil137
tonight at 10 pm, why has this county's criminal been put in charge of the police force? find out at 10
pauli133
just think, this was their top priority. for a reason.
pazuzu
The first day of the new congress was today. They dissolved the Ethics office LAST NIGHT!
footfoe
it wasn't a top priority. New congress votes on new rules every time as their first action.
TekDragon
I though you missed a spot on that boot, boy.
FloodingWaters
you just said "it wasn't a top priority" and then described exactly what someone does when thing is their top priority.
FloodingWaters
obviously, setting the rules is a top priority, because you can't do the thing and then set the rules for the thing.
ImHereToExplainTheJoke
IMGURIANS, THIS DISBANDING WAS NOT STOPPED BY TRUMP OR CONGRESS. IT WAS ALL OF US WHO BOMBARDED CONGRESS WITH PHONE CALLS SAYING "NO!" -
ImHereToExplainTheJoke
TRUMP CANNOT STOP CONGRESS WITH A TWEET. THEY DO NOT ANSWER TO HIM. IT IS YOU AND I, THE PEOPLE, WHO STOPPED THIS NONSENSE. KEEP IT UP.
bigian77
I agree! The timing of the tweet was interesting, but it was definitely us who made this change! AMERICA
TheMajesticHarpyEagle
Burn them all.
onlyhalfghost
Well, it's you and the other Americans around here anyway, but thanks from Canada for trying to spread awareness of how to not suck.
ImHereToExplainTheJoke
How's it going up there right now, anyway? I hear Trudeau's trying hard to fix the clusterfuck Harper left behind. How's he handling?
onlyhalfghost
He's done alright. Not everyone thinks he's doing a good job, but he's delivered on about a quarter of his election promises so far.
ImHereToExplainTheJoke
Well, the PM can only do so much at one time, right?
ImHereToExplainTheJoke
Democracy is a responsibility. If you want your government not to suck, you need to complain loudly. Americans have seemed to forget that.
onlyhalfghost
Just think what could be accomplished if people were as active the rest of the time as they were about SOPA/PIPA.
ImHereToExplainTheJoke
Right? Frightening headway. Imagine if we demanded complete transparency on all things, especially how money is spent.
neil137
trump actually got them to back off. yea, trump of all people
TheFinalDoctor
Neither scenario was good. But Americans would rather have a lizard(b/c the other lizard might win) than change the system or vote 3rd party
Panda4hire
They got rid of the one that actually was doing it's job and not the one that has ignored multiple complaints about ethics concerns.
PaintedSlate
I mean, what possible motivation would they have for getting rid of the useless one?
Raunchy
A solid 99% sure that's not what happened.
OverpricedCrayon
It is. Believe it or not.
xSquirrelly
He's right, downvote him all you want. It is a non-partisan entity, but many of the complaints come from one side or the other. Many people
Raunchy
Good day to you, and a wealthy new year.
TiredOfTheBS
No it is. The latter, ignorant one is the House Ethics Committee. Separate from what they were targeting today
OverpricedCrayon
http://www.npr.org/2017/01/02/507955013/house-gop-votes-to-strip-independence-from-congressional-ethics-office
xSquirrelly
have had to sink a ton of money into defending themselves when falsely accused. It's a needed entity that is being abused, surprise!
NRGitalian
Nobody is pointing out that the democrats tried to do this in 2010? Where was that outrage?
helmutboy
Read beyond the headlines. It had a duplicate mission with another congressional ethics group.
bigian77
Can you give me an example?
pdxenburg
House Ethics Committee....made up of the people from both party
EternalSunshineofthePotlessMind
Compared to the independent (now disolved) ethics commity. I wonder which one will be more unbiased
footfoe
the one that isn't made of political appointees of the ruling party.
pdxenburg
Except that this is the independent one, not the one led by both parties
Alvatore
A minor but important distinction, which means that it wasn't such a minor distinction after all.
Anigon
As other people mentioned this one was independent and called "aggressive" by congress. No matter they just outed 3 members recently.
earthbender
Let's be honest. Ain't nobody else ethical at Capitol Hill.
DrivebyViktum
This was a redundant department. there are several agencies that already do this. Try reading. Eliminating redundancy will save billions.
lotsofleeches
Name one, other than the House Ethics Committee.
pdxenburg
Funny how they those chose to eliminate the independent agency
leavinit
Eliminating oversight will cost us billions.
Alvatore
Billions which I'm sure the congresspeople will vote should go into their paychecks. This was an independent office, not one they own.
pdxenburg
It has a budget of $1.5 million and a staff of (9) people. It's not savings billions.
onlyhalfghost
Oh, that explains everything, the staff being (9). (Cheers to the roughly six imgurians who'll get that joke.)
pvtwestbrook86
Is that the one that's supposed to investigate things like trading weapons for drugs to support coups?
bigian77
Nah the one investigating people embezzling and laundering money using government agencies (actually happened, the guy is in prison now)
BHPaperstacks
Trading drugs for coups actually happened too. Iran Contra.
bigian77
I didn't know that. You got any sauce so I can learn mor about it?
BHPaperstacks
Google Iran Contra. General Oliver North (now a fox news commentator) admitted to funding Contra death squads w/ arms sales to Iran.
BHPaperstacks
These same Contras were also allowed to smuggle cocaine into the US w help from the CIA to fund their war.
balddragn
There is an office of Congressional Ethics? What do they do make sure that they don't have any?
unpopularopinionlord
Pretty much. America lost most of its ethics since Roe vs Wade.
BenderThe0ffender
SugarSmack
They suck at their job. But, its all we've got.
ThisNameDoesntMatter
Zing!
[deleted]
[deleted]
MidiArbite
Apparently the office does take anonymous complaints and airs them to the press before an in depth investigation which is a lil unfair.
MicrowaveSafe
Yea, we gotta give the corrupt people time to cover their asses first. Where's our sense of decency.
MidiArbite
That's doing things out of order, IF it's true it amounts to defamation with an official looking seal.
MicrowaveSafe
Wait, sorry, if it's true it's defamation?
AritadaesCitadel
Lodging an anon ethics complaint with the OCE vs a member of congress is a great way to make them look bad. It ends up being partisan too.
Pullout69
Well letting congressmen vote on their own salary and raises isn't exactly ethical.
MidiArbite
Raises that don't take effect till they manage to get reelected. And their opponent can run against their vote on it.
Pullout69
Let's not forget the lack of term limits. A term in the house is 2 years and the average length is 9.1 years.
Real7DollaBill
Can we fire them all and start from scratch. Ol' boys club is getting too comfortable. Lets take 'em down a peg or two.
AHorticulturistIsJustANerdyGardener
They make sure blacks and Mexicans are investigated at 6x the rate of whites. True story.
bobbynixon
Lol well where the hell have they been?
AHorticulturistIsJustANerdyGardener
Investigating black and Mexican Congressional reps at 6x the rate of whites. So... The left doesn't mention them much.
doggetofftheqcekmty
That's basically going to be the new mandate.
JeriSanchez
Yup. But this just make it so they don't need to be nearly as scared of repercussions.
LGNDAllan
It could be and has been a lot worse. Since the political parties in the USA work like shit.
FloodingWaters
we're headed for a new gilded age. or we're already there. any historians care to weigh in on that?
LGNDAllan
By zones i mean, economic, domestic gross product, trade, education, governmental debt/deficit, political influence, social security, heal..
AnonymousBach
New Gilded Age hopefully means New Theodore Mutherfuckin Roosevelt through.
FloodingWaters
I think all we're getting is Bernie GrandMutherFuckin Sanders, though.
FloodingWaters
* not really wanting to compare Bernie and Teddy, but mostly just watned to use the word "GrandMutherFuckin" because reasons.
LGNDAllan
It a historian, but depending on how you choose to quantify gilded age then sure. Most countries are, the US however is not in most zones.
FloodingWaters
talk to me like i'm 2 (honestly). but I was using the term referencing the post-reconstruction 'gilded age'. how do we compare to that?
FloodingWaters
also, thanks in advance for chiming in. I'm struggling to recall classes from 15 years ago, so the request for 2 year old speak is genuine.
DougForcett
To be clear they're abolishing the office's ability to operate independently. So while it still exists, they'll be managing it themselves.
skyshadow
And bitches on Imgur were arguing semantics when exactly the same shit was happening in Poland. It was a warning. You disgust me now.
iamdanman
That's definitely not a conflict of interest
AwesomeName
That's even worse.
DougForcett
I think what makes it look bad is that they made this the first thing they did with their new majority in both houses of Congress. Shady AF.
Lezbedevious
Not very ethical
dmax12
its not like they had much which legally defined their ethics anyway. a committee without legal guides are pretty weak.
Cheesecakecrush
Its not like they've been doing a bang up job or anything.
DougForcett
http://www.npr.org/2017/01/03/508043376/after-trump-tweets-criticism-house-gop-drops-weakening-of-house-ethics-office lololololol
imgursresidentasshole
i hate it when "journalists" put pictures of politicians with frowns on their faces when they did something wrong
Merco
doesn't that defeat the purpose?
DougForcett
Yeah, their purpose was specifically to remove independent oversight.
bigian77
Question: should I take this down, as it is no longer accurate? Or keep it up, because, minus one trump tweet, this was about to happen?
Mewmus
just post an edit
bigian77
Aha! Can I do that on mobile?
Mewmus
I.....honestly don't know. never tried.
bigian77
Thank you for the honesty!
Mewmus
yw :)
TheOneTrueDave
bigian77
Ok I will! Thanks, Dave.
TheOneTrueDave
bigian77
I edited it! It was all thanks to you Dave!!
TheOneTrueDave
Nah, you da real MVP, citing sources and stuff. I'm just the cheering section, like
bigian77
Turns out Trump himself called the House out on this via Twitter, and they've backed off..
Tabrias
Feels good
ChicagoStyleDotHog
Thousands and thousands of people flooded congressional offices with calls so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ to Trump criticizing the "timing"
ChuckNorrisAteMySock
Agreed. All Trump basically said was "not a priority right now."
GogglesGreek
And his own spox said Donald had a mandate to do stuff like this. He did nothing to cause the reversal.
badgerbadgersquared
Seriously though, we've all seen trump call people out on Twitter, what he did wasn't that and you know it
bigian77
You're right. I stand by my post!
AgentDrkBooty
Correlation does not equal causation. Credit this to the thousands calling in to show their concern as opposed to a couple of tweets.
PsychopompGecko
"Drain the swamp" "Packs cabinet with longtime Rep. politicians and Goldman Sachs employees."
dmax12
Its only ~8 years old. Not like its some established long standing committee. I think its a good idea, its just not written in well
badgerbadgersquared
He couldn't even write a complete sentence, this was the calls man. We have the power
PsychopompGecko
"Drain the swamp" "Packs cabinet with longtime Rep. politicians and Goldman Sachs employees."
AHorticulturistIsJustANerdyGardener
Too bad. The OEC is racist as hell. Minorities are investigated at 6x the rate of whites. Abolish it.
bigian77
FP Edit explains my feelings. Sorry for the confusion!
Wassamattauface
That is not what happened, and no they did not.
DukePhelan
Backed off for now. They will wait until the masses are distracted and pass it later. Same with net neutrality.
bigian77
Exactly, that's what I tried to make clear in my Edit
DukePhelan
Sorry didn't make it to the edit TLDR I have corrected that error.
bigian77
No worries, your Dutchy
DukePhelan
Dutchy? I must be missing some slang? I am old and not hip anymore!
0xFADE
Damn all of you. He still isn't president yet. He didn't have to say ANYTHING and just let this slide by. You can keep trying to spin it.
MrPredator
I'm going to be "that" cynical asshole and play conspiracy theorist by saying they did it on purpose to make Trump look good.
TheresAnUpvoteForThat
bigian77
Yup, exactly, thank you. I jumped the gun before reading everything I needed to.
TheresAnUpvoteForThat
But you updated the post, so good on you!
bigian77
Thanks!
Mewmus
they are probably part of the swamp that President-elect Trump wanted to drain.
dymondsndogtags
Link?
bigian77
http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/02/politics/office-of-congressional-ethics-oversight-of-ethics-committee-amendment/index.html
TheBatsBananas
That reporter is just awful. "voted by unanimous consent, that means unanimously"; "as they move forward with their agenda, going forward"
bigian77
Yea i was in a hurry looking for a source, if it was something more substantive I wouldn't have picked Fucking CNN haha
ShalomMyFriends
Turns out he's not a terrible person, not many people know that
wadatahmydamie
He's a vile person. He didn't criticize their actions, just their timing. He agreed with their actions.
PlantainSuperNova
Yes because agreeing with their actions and not their timing is disagreeing with them.
ImHereToExplainTheJoke
It wasn't because of Trump. It's because public outrage that they backed off! They're saying it's Trump now because it's politically smart.
bigian77
This is most likely true, I just question the timing of this "emergency meeting" the house republicans called and trump's tweet
ImHereToExplainTheJoke
I think they just waited for it. They got the calls from people, then watched Trump's twitter mentions/facebook. Then timed the meeting-
ImHereToExplainTheJoke
around that. They were ready to get rid of it until everyone started calling, but faith in the republican establishment is way low atm, so-
ImHereToExplainTheJoke
finding a way to seem like they're with Trump right now is politically prudent.
WarpPig
just goes to show, the people /do/ in fact have influence over our politics. We just have to pay attention.
ImHereToExplainTheJoke
Right? Their jobs are dependent on our votes, so if enough of us threaten their job security it'll change them. We need to be this always.
thevelvetbeard
Dont twist this. Trump didn't make this happen. He wants this, just not now. 1000s of concerned CITIZENS clogging house phone lines did this
bigian77
Possibly! I just question the timing of his tweet and them walking the bill back. Either way, I'm glad it's been walked back
MyTimeAtTheTop
Your first instinct was correct. Trump is walking fine line calling GOP BS and knowing he still has to work with them.
thevelvetbeard
I'm with you. Let's hope it sticks. It's very discouraging to see where their priorities are, but it's great to see the power in resistance.
bigian77
Yup, hopefully this is a wake up call to anyone who thinks the House Republicans want to drain the swamp
ek321
Their plan is to warm the globe, melt Antarctica, and thus turn the swamp of corruption into a world-spanning ocean of corruption.
MontanaBanana
He didn't call of the act, but the timing.
TheFermiSolution
Volimar
Important fucking distinction!
bigian77
This is true.
NiceLegsDaisyDukesMakesAMAAANOUTOFYOOOUUUU
Like we weren't going to notice? It's like someone putting something in danger only to come back and fix it like "I SAVED THE DAY!"
GogglesGreek
MSM already shoved their feet in their mouth and attributed Donny's Magical Tweet for stopping the OCE gutting. Fucking terrible reporting.
vocalminority
He didn't. He said timing was bad, not the idea and then it got reported as him being against it. Complete bullshit.
ermahgerdermerger
exactly. THANK YOU. the only credit I'll give him is for the impeccable timing of the tweet with the already-tipped scales.
bigian77
Yup, I agree with you both
ScaryScarab
This is why I go to Imgur for news now.
AmishJohn81
Good on you for adding this
bigian77
I edited the post, hopefully everything is clear now
GogglesGreek
Donald only criticized the timing. He thinks the OCE is "unfair". His tweet did little to nothing to cause the backdown. Outrage did.
bigian77
Thanks! I was informed by another imgurian, researched it.
DocStrangeLuv
He only questioned the timing, not the plan. What 'research' did you do exactly?
bigian77
But it caused the republicans of the house to pull back from the bill almost immediately, so...that research?
DocStrangeLuv
So none. Because if you did any you'd see the tweets said 'this is fine, but make sure to fuck up healthcare first.' Paraphrasing of course.
TimeKeepsOnMoving
I was about to say this too. I notice there are no posts on Imgur about Trump doing that. Surprise.
MyStrippernameisBubbles
A lot of people don't give credit where it's due. Some citizens even want him to fail. He's our president-elect. If he fails we fail too.
TheWizardOfRoz
Unless he fails at closing the EPA and other important agencies. We all benefit from that failure lol
noforeplay
Well there is a difference between calling them out on the measure itself and just calling them out on the timing of it
RubberCatTurds
Did you try posting it?
vocalminority
That's because he didn't. He said timing was bad but the idea was fine. That's not okay.
GogglesGreek
Because he didn't. They backed down because of public outcry and constituents calling Congress. Donny didn't stop this.
Mewmus
because any post that shows Trump doing a good job would immediately be downvoted into oblivion.
Kappa043
I wish it were only the work of CTR and not the brainwashed masses.
DocStrangeLuv
You realize he only critized the timing and not the plan right? No? Read.