Waters Calls For Inquiry of Ethics Committee Staff

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, file)

Embattled Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) could introduce a special resolution today that would craft a special panel to investigate the reasons two aides on the House Ethics Committee were suspended after questions were raised about their probe into Waters.

Waters ethics trial was abruptly cancelled two weeks ago and she calls for a bipartisan task force to investigate the matter.

It's unclear how the House will handle this resolution, since it's not blessed by leadership and Waters is a Democrat.

Below is the text of her resolution.

"Authorizing and directing the Speaker to appoint a bipartisan task force to investigate the circumstances and cause of the decision to place professional staff of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct on indefinite administrative leave, and for other purposes.

Whereas, On November 19, 2010 two members of the professional staff of the committee on standards and official conduct were placed on indefinite administrative leave.

Whereas, on November 19th 2010 the committee on standards and official conduct canceled and has not rescheduled the adjudicatory hearing for a Member of Congress, previously scheduled for November 29th 2010.

Whereas such a delay violates a Members due process rights and the rules of the committee.

Whereas all of these actions have subjected the committee to public ridicule, produced contempt for the ethics process, created the public perception that the committee's purpose was to unjustly impugn the integrity of a Member of the House, and weakened the ability of the committee to properly conduct its investigative duties, all of which has brought discredit to the House; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That-

(1) the Speaker shall appoint a bipartisan task force with equal representation of the majority and minority parties to investigate the circumstances and cause of the decision to place professional staff of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct on indefinite administrative leave and to make recommendations to restore public confidence in the ethics process, including disciplinary measures for both staff and Members where needed; and

(2) the task force report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives during the second session of this Congress."