House GOP kills ethics investigation

There's got to be a point where the majority's refusal to demand accountability from corrupt politicians disenchants the America public to such a degree that they're cowed into... honesty. But first we'll have to reach the point where people no longer buy the line that calls for ethics reform are just a "partisan stunt."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has introduced a Privileged Resolution requiring an ethics investigation of Members of Congress allegedly involved in improper conduct related to lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

While reading the resolution, the House Clerk was interrupted while the House was called back into order.

After Republicans voted by voice to table the resolution, Pelosi requested a recorded vote. With just 6 Republicans breaking an otherwise party-line vote, House GOP successfully tabled the resolution, 216-193.

How much of a stunt was Pelosi's proposal? Here's the final passage:

RESOLVED, That the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall immediately initiate an investigation of the misconduct by Members of Congress and their staff implicated in the scandals associated with Mr. Jack Abramoff's criminal activity.

Wow! That's totally insane!