Letter: Keeping an eye on Reichert following vote to abolish ethics committee

I have never been political in my life, but I am forced to change due to the rise of the most repugnant man ever to be elected president of the United States (and that includes Nixon).

I, like so many here in the Valley, watched in horror as the first order of business of the Republican congress was a closed-door vote to abolish the Independent Ethics Committee, the last shred of hope that we can hold our representatives accountable.

It is bald-faced hypocrisy and disgusting. I did not elect a representative to be a fox in the hen house. I voted for someone who would represent my interests. I just found out that Congressman, Dave Reichert voted for this disgusting move. As our representative, he is a disaster (in the words of our president-elect).

Are we that complacent that we, the people of his district should allow this? No.

If this is his first vote, that he rescinded under pressure, he will now be painfully aware that we have our eyes on him for all future votes. I do not like cronyism in Congress and he will not be sent back with behavior like this.

Gary Schwartz

North Bend

Editor’s Note: The House Republicans voted in a private meeting Monday, Jan. 2, to remove power from the Office of Congressional Ethics, a nonpartisan entity established in 2008 to explore allegations of misconduct in the House. The vote was reversed the following day.