THE House of Representatives is expected to vote tomorrow for a severe reprimand and a $300,000 fine against the Republican Speaker, Mr Newt Gingrich, for an ethics violation, writes Joe Carroll. Democrats are angry at reports that the fine will be paid by the Republican Party and not by Mr Gingrich personally.
The reprimand and the fine have been recommended by the House ethics committee. The report was a damning indictment of Mr Gingrich for misuse of tax exempt funds for a college course with a political agenda favouring the Republican Party, but stopped short of accusing him of lying.
Mr Gingrich admitted earlier he had violated House rules. He insisted he had not intentionally tried to mislead the ethics committee which has been investigating the charges for a year.
Mr Gingrich was re elected Speaker last week before the report was available. This led to protests from the Democratic minority and the defection of a number of Republicans.
The strong strictures in the report about Mr Gingrich's conduct and the heavy fine are seen as weakening the Speaker's authority in the House.