Ethics Inquiry Regarding Mel Watt Moving Along?

Several weeks ago, we reported here about how the Congressional Black Caucus, which includes our own Congressman Mel Watt, was protesting investigations by the Office of Congressional Ethics.

Within a matter of a week or two, we learned that Mr. Watt himself has been the target of an investigation by that Office.

And today, we learn (HT: Carolina Journal) that the office is moving to the next stage of its investigation:

As part of the probe, the OCE is reviewing an amendment offered by Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.), which was withdrawn within two days of fundraiser held in his honor.

Last October, Watt sponsored an amendment that would have included auto dealers under the oversight of a proposed finance industry watchdog, a position supported by several consumer advocacy groups.

The proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency would oversee companies that provide auto financing, and used-car dealers offering “buy here, pay here” financing.

Without Watt’s amendment, franchised auto dealers would be exempted.

Watts withdrew the amendment on Dec. 11, two days after a fundraiser for him at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.

This matter is not receiving prominent coverage locally.  I wonder why.

Comments

[Bubba]

"This matter is not receiving prominent coverage locally. I wonder why."

They can't figure out a way to make Mel Watts the victim in this story.

[Joe Guarino]

That's pretty funny, Bubba. But don't underestimate them-- they might still pull it off.

[Timur]

Headline N&R

" Spurious allegation threatens Triad Congressman for life Watt's incumbency. Is race an underlying issue ( ? ), spokesman asks "

[Bubba]

We also need to remember these little episodes in Mel's "illustrious" career:

"There has been lots of speculation on why Representative Mel Watt has done his best to make sure that the Audit the Fed bill will be gutted, and why the Congressman is willing to promote the same irresponsible and unaccountable bubble-inflating behavior that got us to the current Fed-sponsored, bubble-reflation attempt, which is practically guaranteed to end much worse than just a few Goldman competitor banks imploding here and there.

Here are some attempts at reconstructing Representative Watt's motivations courtesy of Robert Wenzel at EconomicPolicyJournal.com. It should make all questions as to why Fed transparency is not Mr. Watt's friend, quite clear."

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/less-opaque-look-mel-watts-motivations-kill-audit-fed-bill

"(Ron)Paul, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, said Mel Watt, a Democrat from North Carolina, has eliminated 'just about everything' while preparing the legislation for formal consideration. Watt is chairman of the panel’s domestic monetary policy and technology subcommittee."

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/congressman-watt-guts-bill-audit-fed

[Joe Guarino]

Yep, Timur, that's how they might be inclined to do it.

[Joe Guarino]

Thanks, Bubba, for a couple of very informative links. It is, unfortunately, all very predictable; and his constituents have no way of knowing the legislative mischief in which he is engaged.