• by Philip Rosenstein , Staff Writer, January 10, 2017

The Republican Congress and incoming administration appear set on avoiding ethics oversight, as a unified House and Senate prepare to bolster the Cabinet picks of president-elect Trump.

A few days into 2017, the first order of business for the GOP led U.S. House of Representatives was to gut the Independent Office of Congressional Ethics. The move was quickly retracted, following scores of phone calls from constituents and a rejection of the plan by the president-elect.

Republicans in Congress are clear: They find little use in ensuring our elected officials remain above board when it comes to conflicts of interest or ethical guidelines. Indeed, The Huffington Post reported the House GOP changed a rule last week which permits members to keep their records hidden from ethics or criminal investigations.

The same mentality is pervasive throughout Donald Trump’s potential administration.

From Trump himself, who some say will immediately violate the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution the moment he is sworn in as President, down to his senior staff and administration picks, ethical questions abound.

With confirmation hearings hearings starting today on Trump’s administration picks, Democrats are concerned potential officials have yet to submit tax and ethics forms that would clear up many questions.

A letter from Walter M. Shaub Jr., the head of the Office of Government Ethics, sent to Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) read: “The announced hearing schedule for several nominees who have not completed the ethics review process is a great concern to me.”

Conversely, Republicans say they want to start hearings as soon as possible in order to have the administration ready on day one.

There are no laws or regulations that require these documents to be submitted to the Senate prior to hearings, though it has been common practice for decades.

Ironically, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sent Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell the same letter he sent Sen. Harry Reid in 2009 regarding then President Obama’s nominations.

“In 2009, then-Minority Leader McConnell sent then-Majority Leader Reid a letter laying out his list of prerequisites for time agreement on the floor for President Obama’s nominees,” Schumer said from the floor of the U.S. Senate.

“They are almost exactly what Democrats have requested.”