Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Bill Owens

Pursuant to Committee Rule 7(g), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics (Committee) determined on February 6, 2013, to release the following statement:

On August 30, 2012, the Committee on Ethics of the 112th Congress received a referral from the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) regarding Representative Bill Owens.  Pursuant to House Rule XI, clause 3(b)(8) and Committee Rule 17A, the then-Chairman and Ranking Member jointly decided on December 13, 2012, to extend the Committee’s review of the matter.  In order to gather additional information necessary to complete its review, the Committee will review the matter pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a).  The Committee notes that the mere fact of conducting further review of a referral, and any mandatory disclosure of such further review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee. 

In order to comply with Committee on Ethics Rule 7 regarding confidentiality, out of fairness to all respondents, and to assure the integrity of its work, the Committee will refrain from making further public statements on this matter pending completion of its initial review.

Pursuant to Committee Rule 17A, the Committee on Ethics hereby publishes OCE’s Report and Findings relating to allegations against Representative Bill Owens and Representative Owens’ submission to the Committee.