Changes

Concerns over ethics in Congress played a big part in the Democratic recapture of the House of Representatives and Pelosi's ascension to the Speakership after several members of Congress were investigated, indicted or convicted for legal wrongdoing over the past year.  In early 2007, Speaker Pelosi established a Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement to explore the problem.  Twenty freshmen House Democrats have asked for legislation to establish an independent ethics commission within the legislative branch to investigate future ethical lapses by fellow members.<ref>Alexander Bolton, [http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/dems-press-pelosi-for-ethics-panel-2007-04-18.html''Dems press Pelosi for ethics panel''], The Hill, April 19, 2007. </ref> Speaker Pelosi and others in the majority have resisted such a reform.{{fact}}  

Concerns over ethics in Congress played a big part in the Democratic recapture of the House of Representatives and Pelosi's ascension to the Speakership after several members of Congress were investigated, indicted or convicted for legal wrongdoing over the past year.  In early 2007, Speaker Pelosi established a Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement to explore the problem.  Twenty freshmen House Democrats have asked for legislation to establish an independent ethics commission within the legislative branch to investigate future ethical lapses by fellow members.<ref>Alexander Bolton, [http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/dems-press-pelosi-for-ethics-panel-2007-04-18.html''Dems press Pelosi for ethics panel''], The Hill, April 19, 2007. </ref> Speaker Pelosi and others in the majority have resisted such a reform.{{fact}}  

   

   

Pelosi, capitalizing on the public’s distaste for the earmarking process, pledged reform during the elections last fall.  Members of Congress regularly abuse the appropriations process by earmarking public monies to fund pet projects of special interests and donors often in their own congressional districts or states.  Earmarks are an area of the legislative process particularly susceptible to corruption.  In may 2007 Pelosi stuck in a $25 million pork project that would benefit her rich husband, Paul Pelosi, in the Water Resources Development Act.  The project involves renovating ports near four separate commercial real estate properties near owned by Paul Pelosi and will significantly boost the property values.  According to disclosure forms, these properties resulted in rental income as high as $3 million in 2005 for the Pelosi’s. <ref>[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZGIwYzc2MTQ4YTBlMTg3YjJmZGVhODc4NmJhYjg4YjY Pelosi’s Waterworks], Stephen Spruiell, ''National Review Online'', May 9, 2007.</ref>

Pelosi, capitalizing on the public’s distaste for the earmarking process, pledged reform during the elections last fall.  Members of Congress regularly abuse the appropriations process by earmarking public monies to fund pet projects of special interests and donors often in their own congressional districts or states.  Earmarks are an area of the legislative process particularly susceptible to corruption.  In May 2007 Pelosi inserted a $25 million earmark into the Water Resources Development Act for a project that involves renovating ports near four separate commercial real estate properties near property owned by her husband, Paul Pelosi, and is likely to significantly boost the value of the property he owns. <ref>[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZGIwYzc2MTQ4YTBlMTg3YjJmZGVhODc4NmJhYjg4YjY Pelosi’s Waterworks], Stephen Spruiell, ''National Review Online'', May 9, 2007.</ref> According to disclosure forms, these properties resulted in rental income as high as $3 million in 2005 for the Pelosi’s. {{fact}}

===Boy Scouts===

===Boy Scouts===