DC EthicsJanuary 17, 2007 | Chad PergramEthics reform is one of the prime issues lawmakers are grappling with in the opening days of the Democratically-controlled Congress. They've already adopted mild reforms that prohibit lobbyists from paying for lawmakers' travel and banning all gifts. And lawmakers intend to approve some deeper reforms in the coming weeks. This comes after the convictions of two lawmakers for accepting bribes, the resignation of one Congressman for sending creepy messages to House pages and the criminal trial of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas. Many Americans believe crooked behavior is the norm in Washington. From Capitol Hill, Chad Pergram talked to North Carolina lawmakers and examined the allure of power in Washington and what makes politicans go wrong.
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