WASHINGTON – The D.C. Council has granted preliminary approval to a broad package of ethics reforms.

The council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the bill. Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr., whose home was raided Friday by federal agents investigating his alleged diversion of city funds for personal use, was present and voted for the measure. He did not comment on it.

Several amendments that would have strengthened the bill were either withdrawn or voted down. Councilmembers pledged to work on possible changes before it comes up for a final vote in two weeks.

The bill would create an ethics board with the power to punish members for violations. It also calls for the expulsion of any councilmember who is convicted of a felony, although District voters would have to approve that provision.

Thomas is under investigation for allegedly spending $300,000 in city funds intended for a youth charity. On Friday, the IRS confiscated his SUV and motorcycle.

The embattled councilmember took his seat in the council chamber Tuesday morning alongside his colleagues, who met in private Monday to discuss possible action against him. Council Chairman Kwame Brown was expected to meet with Thomas later Tuesday to discuss the council’s concerns.

Thomas also came to work at City Hall Monday but did not attend a committee markup of the ethics bill and he refused to speak with reporters.

The council also passed legislation Tuesday dealing with mayoral hires — a bill prompted by complaints of nepotism and cronyism in Mayor Vincent Gray’s administration.

Councilmembers additionally are expected to deal with a bill in the future that would remove some of the hurdles residents have to clear before obtaining a handgun.

WTOP’s Mark Segraves tweeted from the council’s monthly breakfast meeting and Tuesday’s legislative session. Follow along below.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Mark Segraves and WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2011 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)