Karen Bass: “the article reveals that the same individual who drafted several complaints filed against the Speaker also helped raise…”

“the article reveals that the same individual who drafted several complaints filed against the Speaker also helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for the campaign of the ranking minority member of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. The article also revealed that the political consulting firm header by the individual in question, Mr. Steven J. Jost, also received over $14,000 in payments from the ranking minority member's campaign committee. Mr. Speaker, in no way am I implying that the distinguished ranking minority member of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct has acted in an unethical fashion, but in the same manner that questions were raised by the minority whip concerning Republican Members of the committee and alleged conflicts of interest, similar questions should also be raised regarding any connection between the ranking minority member of the committee and the individual who helped raise money for him and also drafted many of the complaints filed against the Speaker. It is vital, Mr. Speaker, that the ethics process in Congress remain fair and above reproach, and that we retain the confidence of the American people for this important process. I hope that we will receive in the coming days a full and complete explanation of the ranking minority member's association with this fundraiser and this fundraiser's dealings with the ethics committee regarding filings made against the Speaker.”