In a surprise announcement yesterday, House Republicans declared that they were going to effectively destroy the independent ethics office created in 2008 to flag suspected corruption and bribery among the chamber's members.
But 24 hours later, under a stream of harsh criticism from Democrats, and Republicans alike—including House Speaker Paul Ryan and President-elect Donald Trump—the GOP announced it was abandoning the plan.
Congressman Seth Moulton, who was sworn in for his second term in the House today, blasted both the proposal and quick reversal.
"I think they finally heard from Democrats like myself and the American people that we need ethics in Congress," Moulton told Jim Braude and Margery Eagan by phone from Washington on Tuesday. "I don't think there's an American out there who thinks that Congress is too ethical right now."
Referencing Trump's campaign promise to "drain the swamp"—or reduce corruption in Washington—Moulton said, "the very first thing they do in a session where they promised to 'drain the swamp' is actually to make the swamp worse and prevent it from getting drained."
Moulton said he believed today's reversal could be a harbinger of things to come for the Republican-led Congress.
"Republicans are divided. Republicans held the House of Representatives from the last Congress and they couldn't pass their own budget," he said.
"The idea we're going to get good governance from having all the Republicans in charge is clearly not the case," Moulton said.
To hear more from Congressman Seth Moulton, tune in to Boston Public Radio above.
