Press releases
Issue One Statement on OCE report regarding Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY)
Media Contact
Cory Combs
Director of Media Relations
Issue One Chief of Policy, Programs and Strategy Meredith McGehee released the following statement in light of a newly-released Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) report regarding Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY):
“The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) found that Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) violated insider trading laws and House rules by taking ‘official acts’ on behalf of the pharmaceutical company, Innate Immunotherapeutics, that he is invested in and where he sits on their board of directors.
In light of these findings, OCE has recommended to the House Ethics Committee that these potential violations warrant further review. Issue One encourages the Ethics Committee to conduct a robust and thorough investigation of these allegations in an expeditious manner in order to resolve them in a reasonable timeframe. Additionally, the Ethics Committee has an obligation to reassure the public that members of Congress and their staff are held to the highest ethical standards while they are engaged in public service.
The OCE report also highlighted the ongoing problem of members of Congress, staff and other officers refusing to cooperate with investigations. This underlines the need for OCE to be equipped with subpoena power to continue to be a highly effective watchdog in upholding high ethical standards that are transparently communicated to the public.”
Issue: Congressional Ethics