President-elect Trump Tuesday criticized House Republicans for moving to gut the independent Office of Congressional Ethics in a closed-door vote Monday night, saying their attention should be focused elsewhere and hinting they had violated the spirit of his campaign slogan, “drain the swamp.”
“With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it may be, their number one act and priority,” the incoming Republican president wrote in a pair of tweets.
“Focus on tax reform, healthcare and so many other things of far greater importance!” he added, while including the hashtag “#DTS” or “drain the swamp.”
With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2017
……..may be, their number one act and priority. Focus on tax reform, healthcare and so many other things of far greater importance! #DTS
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2017
House Republicans voted 119-74 in favor of the measure proposed by Virginia Congressman Bob Goodlatte on Monday, despite facing opposition from House Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
The maneuver has drawn heavy criticism from Democratic lawmakers who claim Republicans are making it difficult for them to be investigated for misconduct now that they are set to control two branches of government.
