D.C. Council Approves Ethics Reform Bill

Wells votes “No”

The D.C. Council approved a broad package of ethics reforms and sent it to Mayor Vincent Gray for his signature.

The Council approved the bill Tuesday by a 12-1 vote. Council member Tommy Wells, D-Ward 6, voted no, saying the bill didn't go far enough to limit the influence of corporate donors.

The bill creates an ethics board with the power to punish members for violations. It also calls for the expulsion of any council member who is convicted of a felony, although District voters would have to approve that provision.

The bill was amended Tuesday to allow the council to impeach a member for serious misconduct. Impeachment would require 11 votes from the 13-member council. Council member Marion Barry was one of two members who voted against the amendment.

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Copyright AP - Associated Press
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