Phil Gingrey: “I was surprised when reading title II of this resolution, as it looks conspicuously like the ethics package passed by…”

“I was surprised when reading title II of this resolution, as it looks conspicuously like the ethics package passed by the Republican majority last Congress; the ethics package that only eight Democrats voted to support. I suspect today more than eight Democrats will finally agree with the Republicans that meaningful ethics reform is a priority of the American people. In fact, the most obvious change in the Democratic package is the overly partisan and adversarial tone, adding headlines like 'Ending the K Street Project' to language that was included in the Republican legislation. And for what purpose other than a partisan poke in the minority's eye? Democrats campaigned on the promise of a more open and inclusive government, assuring us of their bipartisan intentions. Well, today, on the first day of the 110th, that promise has been broken. Indeed, it has been smashed. Additionally, as the focus of title II is on fostering a spirit of civility, I find it particularly troubling that the Democrats have decided to allow only 10 minutes of debate, 5 minutes on each side, on title V of this resolution, which we will take up tomorrow.”