Kennewick attorney George Fearing this week criticized Rep. Doc Hastings’ opposition to the Democratic-sponsored ethics reform legislation that passed in the House on Tuesday.

The bill would create an independent office of non-lawmakers to investigate charges of ethics violations against members of Congress.

In a recent speech on the floor of the House, Hastings, R-Wash., decried what he called the lack of a bipartisan spirit in assembling the bill.

“The House floor is shut down to any debate,” he said. “No alternative is allowed to be considered. No amendment can be offered. No respect is afforded to the concerns expressed by both Democrat and Republican members.”

But Fearing, who plans to run against Hastings in the general election this fall, released a statement arguing that the bill was needed.

“An independent body is essential to investigate charges of corruption in Washington since congressmen ‘protect their own,’” Fearing said.