Politics

Colbert Mocks Congressmen Who Skipped Oath For Fundraiser

By Paul Blumenthal

Last week I reported on the potential ethics rules violation by two members of Congress who missed the congressional swearing-in ceremony to attend a fundraiser inside the Capitol.

Two House Republican members, Reps. Mike Fitzpatrick and Pete Sessions, missed their swearing in on Wednesday as they attended a fundraiser in Fitzpatrick's honor at the U.S. Capitol. These two not-quite-yet Congressmen then voted on legislation and introduced bills, adding a Dadaist element to the proceedings. Although astonishingly surreal, there?s a serious House Rules-related concern: lawmakers are barred from using official resources for campaign or fundraising activities.

"House rooms and offices are not to be used for events that are campaign or political in nature, such as a meeting on campaign strategy, or a reception for campaign contributors," according to the House Ethics Manual.

Steven Colbert had some fun with this event on his show last night:

Full post as published by Sunlight Foundation on January 11, 2011 (boomark / email).