Ethics groups blame AWOL McConnell

2007-07-13

Source: The Hill

Frustrated by Sen. Jim DeMint's (R-S.C.) vow to hold up ethics conference talks until earmark reforms are enacted, Democrats and watchdog groups are pointing a finger at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

McConnell is standing idle while DeMint keeps a unanimously approved ethics bill in limbo, Democrats and watchdogs charge. By pressuring the Senate GOP and its leader, not merely the affable freshman who has become the face of the opposition, reform advocates hope to end the Senate's ethics logjam without forcing a difficult procedural vote to silence DeMint.

"Mitch McConnell is making a big mistake sitting on his hands," said Craig Holman, legislative representative for Public Citizen. "Now he's letting his own rank-and-file undermine his image of authority."

Holman warned that McConnell, long known for his savvy behind-the-scenes maneuvering, would pay the price for appearing to allow DeMint to dictate terms for the lobbying and ethics reform bill, which the Republican leader cosponsored. One Senate Democratic aide agreed that letting DeMint take on Democrats casts doubt on McConnell's control of the debate.

"Some of the inmates may be running the asylum over there," the Democratic aide said. "McConnell needs to decide whether he wants to lead or let a few overzealous members of his party run the caucus."

DeMint is asking Democrats to implement the bill's earmark disclosure language, which he successfully strengthened over the majority's objections, through a rules change rather than a statute.

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