WASHINGTON -- December 30 -- The following is a statement of Democracy 21 president Fred Wertheimer on the possible removal of Rep. Joel Hefley as Chairman of the House Ethics Committee:

According to published reports House Speaker Dennis Hastert is considering removing Representative Joel Hefley as Chairman of the House Ethics Committee.

Such an action would clearly be seen as retaliation against Chairman Hefley for simply doing his job and leading the bipartisan Ethics Committee efforts that held Majority Leader Tom DeLay accountable for his multiple ethics transgressions.

The removal of Representative Hefley as Chairman of the Ethics Committee would constitute a flat out declaration of war by Speaker Hastert against ethics in the House.

For the latest reform news and to access previous reports, releases, and analysis from Democracy 21, visit http://www.democracy21.org.

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