Conyers accepts 'responsibility' on ethics

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., has "accepted responsibility" for possible violations of House rules, The Hill reported in Washington Saturday.

In a report released Friday, Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., and Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif., of the House ethics committee said Conyers acknowledged requiring his official staff to perform campaign-related work. Conyers, who is set to assume the chairmanship of the House Judiciary Committee, cited a "lack of clarity" in communicating what was expected of his staff and accepted responsibility for his actions.

"(Conyers) agreed to take a number of additional, significant steps to ensure that his office complies with all rules and standards regarding campaign and personal work by congressional staff," said Hastings and Berman.

The finding could provoke debate on Capitol Hill next week, The Hill said, as Democrats move to reform House ethics rules when the assume control of Congress. It might also raise questions about Conyers' role as chair of the Judiciary Committee, the newspaper said, but a spokesman for Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. -- the incoming House Speaker -- said Conyers will chair the committee.

The inquiry grew out of complaints by former staff members that Conyers had required staff to work on campaign, baby-sit his children and run personal errands.