Reps. Katie Porter (D-CA) and Chris Pappas (D-NH) this week introduced legislation to codify the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), the only independent internal watchdog that probes ethical breaches in Congress. Every two years, Congress passes new rules to regulate how OCE operates, and in 2023, House Republicans voted to weaken OCE and bog down investigations with bureaucratic red tape. The Clean Legislating and Ethical Accountability Now (CLEAN) Act would permanently authorize the Office of Congressional Ethics by codifying it into federal law, so that this watchdog can conduct the oversight Americans deserve no matter who controls Congress.

“All of us lose when one party can unilaterally change the rules to protect their own interests and escape accountability,” said Congresswoman Porter. “The Office of Congressional Ethics gives Americans confidence that Congress is working for them by independently investigating potential ethics violations; no person or party should be able to undermine that. The CLEAN Act will make this watchdog permanent, increase accountability for Congressmembers, and help rebuild Americans’ trust in government.”

“Members of Congress and their offices must be accountable to the people, and the Office of Congressional Ethics serves as a critical body to investigate alleged misconduct,” said Congressman Pappas. “Currently, the Office of Congressional Ethics requires reauthorization every two years. The CLEAN Act will make it a permanent office within the House of Representatives.”

The CLEAN Act is endorsed by organizations such as Common Cause, Campaign Legal Center, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Democracy 21, End Citizens United/Let America Vote Action Fund, and the League of Women Voters of the U.S. 

“Americans expect and deserve accountability from their elected representatives in Washington, and for more than 15 years, the Office of Congressional Ethics has held both Republicans and Democrats accountable for their actions,” said Aaron Scherb, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs at Common Cause. “Despite repeated attempts by certain congressional Republicans to weaken this independent watchdog, the OCE has helped uphold the rule of law and restore confidence in the House of Representatives. Common Cause appreciates the leadership of Representatives Porter and Pappas for introducing the CLEAN Act to strengthen the OCE and help prevent future attacks against this independent ethics body.”

Congresswoman Porter has fought tirelessly to restore Americans’ trust in government by improving transparency and accountability. She is the co-founder of the End Corruption Caucus, which is dedicated to fighting special interests in Washington. This year, she introduced the landmark bipartisan Presidential Ethics Reform Act to require presidents and vice presidents to disclose conflicts of interest, tax returns, foreign payments and gifts, loans, and family use of government travel. Congresswoman Porter also publishes a list of meetings she takes on her website, and has introduced a bill that would require her colleagues to do the same, so Americans know how their representatives spend their time in Washington. 

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