Editorial: Weakening of ethics rules a wrong move

Friday, Jan. 10, 2003 | 9:20 a.m.

In 1995 the Republican-controlled House passed tougher ethical guidelines, sensibly curtailing the gifts and trips members and their staffs could receive from special interest groups. But on Tuesday the Republican-led House, on a party-line vote, softened some of its ethics rules, a change that Democrats say could result in lobbyists catering free meals for members' staffs. Previously, lobbyists could send a meal -- often a pizza -- to staff members as they worked late at the office, but its value had to be less than $50. But under the new "pizza rule," the $50 limit applies to each staff member, a situation that means much more expensive meals can be offered for the group. The changes also will let charities pay for House members to travel and stay at resorts and other places. Previously, House members had to pay for their own transportation and hotel sta ys.

The House Republican leadership pulled a fast one. House members from both parties who sit on the Ethics Committee weren't notified in advance that the weakening of the gifts' provision would be part of the operating rules that the new Congress passed on Tuesday, the first day of the session. House Speaker Dennis Hastert believes the changes aren't harmful, but it's just this kind of influence-peddling, no matter how minor to Hastert, that helps erode the public's trust in elected officials. The House should revisit Tuesday's vote and reinstate its previous restrictions on gifts and trips.