Date: 2012-08-02
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to thank the chairman for his work in this matter. He has addressed in his opening comments some important aspects of this particular matter. Representatives CHARLES DENT and JOHN YARMUTH. who led the investigative subcommittee. will speak in greater detail about the facts of this matter and how and why the committee reached the recommendation for sanction that comes before the House today. I would like to briefly remind our colleagues why we are discussing this matter on the floor today and the importance of the ethics process to the integrity of the House. As noted before. the Ethics Committee is unique in that its membership is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. In that bipartisan spirit. I would like to cite the observations of two former chairmen of this committee about the role of the Ethics Committee and the role that it has in overseeing the House. A former Republican chairman of the committee once said that the ethics process is not a "trial." Instead. it is a "peer review process." In that same vein. a former Democratic chair of the committee said. "The purpose of the ethics process is not punishment but accountability and credibility: accountability for the respondent and credibility for the House. itself." The committee followed these important principles in assessing the conduct of our colleague. Representative LAURA RICHARDSON. The recommendation for sanction we present today will ensure that Representative RICHARDSON is held accountable for her conduct. It will also reaffirm the credibility of the House by demonstrating our commitment to upholding and enforcing the ethics standards that apply to all of us equally. How the committee conducted the investigation in this matter reinforces the goals of accountability and credibility. This matter was begun by the committee at its own initiative in the last Congress. The members of the subcommittee did not prejudge the outcome of this matter nor did the members of the full committee. Out of fairness to all House Members and staff. it is important to point out that the mere fact that an individual is the subject of an investigation doesnt mean that a violation has actually occurred. The existence of an investigation doesnt reflect a judgment by the committee on the allegations. This is true whether the investigation has been publicly acknowledged by the committee or whether it remains confidential. The committee conducted a thorough and fair investigation. Representative RICHARDSON was represented by counsel throughout the committees investigation. She was provided with copies of materials gathered by the subcommittee. Representative RICHARDSON also chose to waive certain procedural rights and steps in the investigative process that were available to her. The subcommittee listened to her views and interpretations of the facts of the investigation as well as appropriate sanctions. The full committee also took into account her views. Ultimately. a dozen Members of the House of both parties weighed the allegations regarding Representative RICHARDSON. and based on the facts. concluded that her conduct did not meet the ethical standards that apply to all of us in a number of respects. That conclusion was bipartisan and it was unanimous. The misconduct in this matter was serious. and in accordance with House precedent it merits the serious sanction of reprimand. Representative RICHARDSON has agreed to accept the sanction of reprimand for her conduct. Usually. it is the committees work in investigative matters like this one that receives public attention. but the committees nonpartisan staff provides advice and education to Members and staff every day. The report issued by the committee in this matter serves both purposes. If you have not already taken the opportunity to do so. I urge my colleagues and House staff to carefully read the committees report. As the report says. the boundaries between our official. political. and personal roles are sometimes clear. and sometimes they are complicated. This matter illustrates the consequences of failing to heed those boundaries. Finally. I wish to acknowledge and thank my colleagues Representatives