Legislative Ethics

The recommendations adopted by the commission today are a welcome step toward a long-overdue strengthening of ethics enforcement in the Commonwealth. We’re particularly pleased with the proposal for creation of an Ethics Review Commission, with authority to initiate and conduct investigations of malfeasance, disclosure and ethics complaints and to impose civil penalties where appropriate.

Common Cause joined with other reform groups and distinguished citizens to urge House leaders to extend the Office of Congressional Ethics in the next Congress

Two top Republican lawmakers profited from a corporate tax-avoidance maneuver that the U.S. Treasury Department is seeking to curb.

Common Cause was extremely disappointed to learn of the House Committee on Ethics’ decision to weaken disclosure requirements for privately-funded travel for members of Congress and staff.

A call to close an ethics loophole