policy
Private: Ensuring the independence of inspectors general (IGs)
Loopholes in our system allow presidents to overreach and fire IGs for political or personal reasons, undermining the public’s ability to hold government officials accountable.
Preventing undue influence, corruption, and the appearance of corruption by elected officials, lobbyists, and members of the executive branch.
Too often, though, there is lax or no enforcement of ethics and lobbying laws in Congress and the executive branch.
Many Americans feel members of Congress, government officials, and lobbyists are above the law, using their positions of power for personal or financial gain. Such corruption — or even the appearance of corruption — has a corrosive effect on our democracy, undermining public confidence in the integrity of our most sacred institutions.
To win public trust in our government, it’s imperative we build — and enforce — stronger ethics, accountability, and transparency laws for Congress, the executive branch, and for lobbyists.
We:
Our impact:
ReFormers Caucus member Brian Baird quoted...
Issue One Legislative Director Elise Wirkus cited...
Press releases
In reaction to today’s bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives to expel Rep. George Santos (R-NY) from Congress in response to a thorough investigation by the House Ethics Committee,…
Press releases
Today, the House Committee on Ethics released its final report following an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing by Rep. George Santos (R-NY). The report uncovered substantial evidence of illegal activity…
In the media
ReFormers Caucus member Brian Baird quoted...
Sign-on letters
We as members of Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus — a bipartisan coalition made up of nearly 200 former members of Congress, governors, and Cabinet officials — urge the House Committee…
Sign-on letters
Issue One joined more than 25 groups this week in urging Congress to strengthen and codify the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) into law. The letter opposes the recently passed…
Press releases
Issue One today applauded the bipartisan reintroduction of the TRUST in Congress Act, a bill that would prohibit members of Congress, their spouses, and their children from buying and selling…
Press releases
Issue One today joined a broad coalition of two dozen organizations in urging Congress to strengthen, not weaken, the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE). The new letter warns that changes…
Press releases
Following proposed changes to House rules that would significantly weaken the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), Issue One Legislative Director Elise Wirkus released the following statement: “The Office of Congressional…
In the media
Issue One Legislative Director Elise Wirkus cited...
Press releases
“The moment has come to close loopholes and ensure Americans know their Members are working for them,” letter states...
In a new letter released today, more than three dozen members of Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus — the largest group of its kind ever assembled to fix our broken political system…