posted on December 11, 2006 02:00:43 PM new
Being caught with a bribe is not a problem for a demo to win a runoff spot against other demos.
----------------
U.S. Rep. William Jefferson easily defeated his fellow Democratic opponent in a runoff election Saturday, despite an ongoing federal bribery investigation.
In complete but unofficial returns, Jefferson, Louisiana's first black congressman since Reconstruction, received 57 percent of the vote over state Rep. Karen Carter, who had 43 percent.
Carter was unable to capitalize on a scandal that included allegations the FBI found $90,000 in bribe money in Jefferson's freezer.
In a concession speech, Carter embraced family members and pledged to work with Jefferson, especially on the area's recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
"I guess the people are happy with the status-quo," she said.
The eight-term incumbent was forced into the runoff against Carter when he failed to win 50 percent of the vote in a crowded open multiparty primary. Carter had sought to become the first black woman from Louisiana elected to Congress.
Jefferson described his win as "a great moment and I thank almighty God for making it possible." He called for regional unity to focus on the hurricane recovery and in bringing back evacuees who are still scattered across the country.
His presence in Washington could be embarrassing for Democrats, who won control of Congress on a platform of cleaning up corruption. In June, incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., led a successful effort to remove Jefferson from the powerful House Ways and Means Committee as the probe unfolded.
He was accused of taking bribes from a company seeking lucrative contracts in the Nigerian telecommunications market. He has not been charged with any crime and denies any wrongdoing.
The scandal turned the race into a debate largely divided along racial lines, an age-old dynamic in this city that has intensified since Hurricane Katrina displaced large numbers of blacks and upended their demographic and political dominance.
Whites, who overwhelmingly voted for Carter in the primary and have been her most enthusiastic financial backers, believed a Jefferson win would confirm this city's image as corrupt and untrustworthy as it asks the nation to fund its recovery from Katrina.
City Councilman Oliver Thomas said Jefferson's victory would make the recovery more difficult.
"People are watching this election all around the country and I can only imagine what they are thinking," Thomas said. "It will be very difficult to go back to them and ask them to trust us with the money we need here."
Carter's campaign spokesman and father, Ken Carter, said he felt they had done all they could to compete against Jefferson, but regretted the tone of the campaign in the final stages.
"Race is all too often a factor in campaigns in New Orleans," Ken Carter said. "Here we had a candidate that tried to paint this young African-American woman as a pawn of the white establishment."
One white voter, George Christen, a registered independent, cast his ballot in a predominantly white precinct in the Algiers neighborhood, just across the Mississippi River from the French Quarter.
"I just didn't want Jefferson in. Period," said Christen, 42. "Jefferson is an embarrassment. He needs to be out."
Jefferson did get a vote from Jene Allen, who is black.
"He started the job. Let him finish it," said Allen, who wouldn't give her age. "I know Karen Carter would be the first black woman, but I think she played it dirty, too dirty."
Jefferson, 59, drew widespread support among blacks who are skeptical of the federal government's motives in its investigation of him. He repeatedly suggested the probe is groundless because he has yet to be indicted more than a year after the FBI raided his home in New Orleans.
Carter, 37, raised nearly five times as much money as Jefferson, but she was largely outflanked in the endorsement game. Jefferson picked up the backing of Mayor Ray Nagin and other prominent black politicians.
The endorsements spoke to Jefferson's solid footing in New Orleans politics. He arrived here in the 1970s as a Harvard-educated lawyer from rural north Louisiana, the sixth of 10 children brought up in a three-room country home. By 1980, he represented New Orleans in the state Senate. At 42, he became the first black from Louisiana in the House since Reconstruction.
The law firm Jefferson founded became the largest black-owned practice in the South. He created a political organization, the Progressive Democrats, which fielded candidates for the school board, assessors' races, state House seats and mayoral contests.
Before the bribery scandal erupted, Jefferson had climbed to the pinnacle of the Democratic Party. He was a confidant of former President Bill Clinton.
"“More Iraqis think things are going well in Iraq than Americans do. I guess they don’t get the New York Times over there.”—Jay Leno".
posted on December 11, 2006 02:59:16 PM new
I agree.
Maybe that's where that saying came from....voters get what they ask for.
Want to put an unethical person in office ....then why would you expect him to ACT ethical?
Makes no sense to me....but this is the third or fourth 'ethical' related dem that has been mentioned since the dems won.
And we were TOLD old pelosi was going to 'clear up the House'. LOL LOL LOL
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
Ann Coulter
[ edited by Linda_K on Dec 11, 2006 03:01 PM ]
posted on December 11, 2006 03:11:55 PM new
I believe the new session of the US House of Representatives starts JANUARY 4, 2007? Are the NEO CONS now attempting to hold SPEAKER DESIGNATE PELOSI responsible for what SPEAKER HASTERT FAILED TO DO?
I know many are VERY ANXIOUS for the change to happen, but we still do have a little under a month to wait.
I guess my question would be, WHY DIDN'T THE REPUBLICAN LED US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? It WAS ON THEIR WATCH. WHY DIDN'T THE REPUBLICAN LED HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? How many MONTHS has then been known?
Maybe the REPUBLICAN LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND ACTION on this issue like so many others is WHY there will be a change in leadership on JANUARY 4, 2007.
posted on December 12, 2006 07:53:49 AM newNow let me see...is that as unethical as protecting a pedophile....nope, don't think so.
Nope, but supporting a rapist Arkansas Govenor / President is.
---------
Democrat's win poses conflict for party
Jefferson ethics probe complicates Pelosi's drive to clean up Congress
By JIM KUHNHENN
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — In awarding Rep. William Jefferson a new lease on his political life, Louisiana voters also saddled Nancy Pelosi with another ethics dilemma as she prepares to become the new Democratic speaker of the House.
Jefferson won a runoff election Saturday despite being dogged by a federal corruption investigation and FBI allegations that he had $90,000 in bribe money in his freezer.
The nine-term Democrat has not been charged with any crime and has denied he did anything wrong. But he returns to Washington under a cloud that will complicate Pelosi's vow to make this "the most honest, most open and most ethical Congress in history."
Democrats ran against a "culture of corruption" they said Republicans fostered while in control of Congress. Election-day surveys showed that corruption and scandal were deciding factors in how people voted.
Conflicting interests
The victory by Jefferson, the first black member of Congress from Louisiana since Reconstruction, forces Pelosi to weigh a pledge to run an ethical Congress against the influence of New Orleans' elected representative in Congress, particularly as the city recovers from the devastation of Katrina.
And it renews calls for the creation of an independent ethics body to investigate behavior by members of Congress.
"It's going to be quite a headache for the Democrats," Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said Sunday.
Last June, Pelosi pressed the House to strip Jefferson of a coveted committee assignment — a seat on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. Pelosi now may come under pressure to restore his committee assignment or at least place him on a committee where he could benefit New Orleans.
After his victory speech Saturday night, Jefferson said: "I don't try to second-guess Ms. Pelosi. I don't go there to work for anyone, I go there to work with the people down here. And I want to work with everyone there. I hope we'll have a chance to talk later."
Pelosi spokeswoman Jennifer Crider said she did not know what Democratic leaders would do with Jefferson's committee assignments.
"Prior to the election, what Leader Pelosi had said was that it was up to the people of New Orleans to choose who represents them," Crider said.
Norm Ornstein, a congressional scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, said Sunday that Pelosi must guard against appearing to bow to pressure.
"At another level, the fact that he won re-election, that his constituents brought him back, speaks in his favor to get some modest committee assignment."
Turning the tables
Washington Democrats stayed out of Jefferson's election, with many privately hoping he would lose the runoff against Democratic state Rep. Karen Carter. The national party spent no money on behalf of Jefferson, and Carter significantly outraised and outspent him in the campaign.
Republicans now see an opportunity to turn the tables on Democrats.
"Jefferson is going to serve as a telling reminder for the American public that the Democrats and their leadership are all talk when it comes to ethics," said Kevin Madden, spokesman for House Republican Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.
Democrats have had a couple of post-election headaches already.
Immediately after Democrats captured control of Congress last month, Pelosi backed Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania over Steny Hoyer of Maryland to be House Democratic leader. The contest drew attention to Murtha's role in the Abscam bribery sting in 1980, though he was not charged in that case. In the end, Hoyer won the leadership race.
"“More Iraqis think things are going well in Iraq than Americans do. I guess they don’t get the New York Times over there.”—Jay Leno".
[ edited by Bear1949 on Dec 12, 2006 07:57 AM ]
posted on December 12, 2006 08:20:24 AM new
""He was accused of taking bribes from a company seeking lucrative contracts in the Nigerian telecommunications market. He has not been charged with any crime ""
Under investigation, not charged with any crime.......not proven guilty..
posted on December 12, 2006 03:21:01 PM new
BearPorn said, "Nope, but supporting a rapist Arkansas Govenor / President is."
I never heard of an Arkansas Governor and President who committed rape. Obviously, Bear has done too many bad drugs to remember reality.
Linda said, "And we were TOLD old pelosi was going to 'clear up the House'. LOL LOL LOL"
Now, perhaps Linduh could actually let everyone here know exactly what Nancy Pelosi was supposed to do. She's not Speaker yet, she was focused on her own campaign, but... obviously this is all her fault.
Linda said, "By now, I'm sure most can see the double standards they use. Anything a dem does...is a -okay. If a rep does the same thing....then it's 'put them in the electric chair'."
The last time I checked nobody here ever supported Jefferson. In fact, I've made it quite known how terrible he is. Roadsmith said, "I agree with others here that it's disgraceful that this guy was re-elected in spite of everything he's done. Just awful."
Who has ever condoned an "electric chair" for Republicans?
Roadsmith added, "(Now watch LOLinda come in disagreeing with us just to disagree!!!!"
posted on December 12, 2006 04:22:27 PM newnever heard of an Arkansas Governor and President who committed rape. Obviously, Bear has done too many bad drugs to remember reality.
Rusty, you've been thinking with your Slick Willie haven havent you?
"“More Iraqis think things are going well in Iraq than Americans do. I guess they don’t get the New York Times over there.”—Jay Leno".
posted on December 12, 2006 05:51:50 PM new
I believe when U.S. Rep. William Jefferson is convicted of a crime, he should go to the same jail so many NEW-CON republican lawmakers are setting in now. Do you agree Bear?
posted on December 12, 2006 10:28:07 PM new
Well...it just goes to prove that rusty is so unaware of so many things...and he continues to admit his lack of knowledge....tsk tsk tsk....but that's HIS problem. Ignorance.
And then he continues to WHINE about "they're not in office".. no #*!@.
Didn't keep pelosi and other dems from making PROMISES before they won the positions they will now fill. NOR does it keep them from stating what they INTEND to do.
No mystery old rusty....read their own words yourself......it's in the NEWS every single day.
Because you didn't read it....doesn't mean they haven't said it...or aren't STILL making these statements. They don't have to wait UNTIL they're in office to SPEAK what THEY plan to do.
Please get informed....read....rather than continuing the same, sad, ignorant whining.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on December 12, 2006 11:00:44 PM new
ATTENTION: TROLL ALERT!!
The only way to deal with trolls is to limit your reaction to reminding others not to respond to trolls.
When you try to reason with a troll, he wins. When you insult a troll, he wins. When you scream at a troll, he wins. The only thing that trolls can't handle is being ignored.
posted on December 12, 2006 11:07:10 PM new
LOL....now who does this remind those who have EVER read at crossfire/otwa????
ROFLMHO
comes to this board and in it's FIRST FEW POSTS....starts a thread directed at whom???
Well...me of course.
Now being my shadow and reposting the exact ACTIONS that justsimpleme is doing. lol lol
Yep....that's a TRUE TROLL alright.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on December 12, 2006 11:08:20 PM new
ATTENTION: TROLL ALERT!!
The only way to deal with trolls is to limit your reaction to reminding others not to respond to trolls.
When you try to reason with a troll, he wins. When you insult a troll, he wins. When you scream at a troll, he wins. The only thing that trolls can't handle is being ignored.
posted on December 12, 2006 11:12:00 PM new
"Jefferson is going to serve as a telling reminder for the American public that the Democrats and their leadership are all talk when it comes to ethics,"
posted on December 12, 2006 11:12:49 PM new
ATTENTION: TROLL ALERT!!
The only way to deal with trolls is to limit your reaction to reminding others not to respond to trolls.
When you try to reason with a troll, he wins. When you insult a troll, he wins. When you scream at a troll, he wins. The only thing that trolls can't handle is being ignored.
posted on December 12, 2006 11:43:57 PM new
Tom DeLay’s Transgressions: A Pattern of Misbehavior
Unprecedented four admonishments by unanimous votes of the bipartisan House Ethics Committee
K Street Project (1999) – Admonished for threatening Electronic Industries Alliance for not hiring a Republican as its president. The Ethics Committee itself initiated this investigation.
Source: “Ethics Panel Chastises DeLay For Threatening Trade Group,” The Washington Post, May 14, 1999
Westar Energy (2004) – Admonished for creating at least the “appearance” that Westar Energy executives were provided special access at a West Virginia golf retreat as result of $25,000 in corporate contributions to Texans for a Republican Majority, a political group affiliated with DeLay. At the time of the retreat, the House was about to consider an energy bill that Westar hoped to influence. A complaint filed by former Rep. Chris Bell (D-TX) initiated this investigation. Link
Source: Memorandum to Members of the House Ethics Committee
Texas Redistricting (2004) – Admonished for using government resources for a political undertaking. Delay’s staff contacted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during the 2003 Texas redistricting battle to obtain information from FAA databases on the whereabouts of Democratic Members of the Texas House who had fled Austin in a plane for the purpose of denying the House a quorum. A complaint filed by Bell initiated this investigation. Link
Source: Memorandum to Members of the House Ethics Committee
Medicare Bill (2004) – Admonished for offering to endorse Rep. Nick Smith’s (R-MI) son, who would be running for Congress, on the House floor in exchange for Rep. Smith’s vote in favor of the Medicare/prescription drug bill. The Ethics Committee itself initiated this investigation. Link
Source: Investigation of Certain Allegations Related to Voting on the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
Pending case
Illegal Campaign Contributions (2005) – The House Ethics Committee last year was asked to investigate Rep. DeLay for allegedly using his political action committee, Texans for a Republican Majority (TRMPAC), to launder corporate money to Texas state campaigns in 2002, a violation of state law. The committee decided not to take action on the complaint until after Travis County (Austin), Texas District Attorney Ronnie Earle completes his investigation of TRMPAC activities and until indictments against DeLay associates in Texas are disposed of. Link
Source: Memorandum to Members of the House Ethics Committee
Questionable Conduct (not considered by House Ethics Committee)
Celebrations for Children (CFC) – This charity, which counted DeLay political operatives among its officers, planned to sell tee times to Long Island golf courses, as well as VIP tickets to Broadway plays, yacht cruises and other events that offered access to DeLay during the 2004 Republican convention in New York. The plan was an attempt to misuse the charity’s IRS tax-exempt status to circumvent the ban on raising soft money. After the charity’s plan drew unfavorable attention from the House Ethics Committee, the charity backed away from its convention plans. Link
Source: “Charity Tied to DeLay Is Questioned; Group Asks Lawmakers To Demand Ethics Probe,” Washington Post, March 24, 2004
Cruise Ship in N.Y.C. – DeLay proposed anchoring the 2,224-passenger Norwegian Dawn cruise ship in the Hudson to accommodate Republicans during the Republican National Convention as an exclusive hotel for lawmakers, lobbyists and special guests. This plan was criticized for providing an environment of special access for large contributors to elected officials. The idea was scrapped after unfavorable publicity.
Source: “They’ll Take Manhattan: Republicans Drop Ship Idea,” The New York Times, December 3, 2003
Legal Defense Fund Contributions – After Public Citizen complained about possible ethics violations, DeLay was forced to return contributions to his legal defense fund from registered lobbyists because House ethics rules explicitly prohibit such contributions. Link
Source: “Gifts Broke Rules, DeLay Trustee Says,” The New York Times, December 8, 2004
The Latest Ethics Allegations Against Tom DeLay
A trip DeLay took in 1997 to Moscow may have been underwritten by business interests lobbying on behalf of the Russian government. The $57,238 cost of the trip was reportedly transferred from a mysterious company registered in the Bahamas, Chelsea Commercial Enterprises Ltd., to the nonprofit group, the National Center for Public Policy Research, which officially paid for the trip. On the trip, DeLay met with two registered lobbyists for Chelsea, including Jack Abramoff.
Source: “A 3rd DeLay Trip Under Scrutiny; 1997 Russia Visit Reportedly Backed by Business Interests,” Washington Post, April 6, 2005.
DeLay's political action and campaign committees have paid his wife and daughter more than $500,000 since 2001. According to disclosure forms, the payments were for “fund-raising fees,” “campaign management” or “payroll.”
Source: “Political Groups Paid Two Relatives of House Leader,” Washington Post, April 6, 2005.
Accepting illegal gifts of foreign travel, lodging and an exclusive golf outing from lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Although DeLay listed the nonprofit National Center for Public Policy Research as the sponsor of a $70,000 trip, Abramoff reportedly had actually solicited checks from two of his clients, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and eLottery Inc., to pay for the trip through the nonprofit group. Two months after the trip, DeLay helped kill legislation opposed by the tribe and the company.
Source: “Probe of Abramoff and Nonprofits’ Money Opens; Senate Finance Committee Seeks Records on Trips by Reps. DeLay and Ney, Donations to Indian Tribes,” The Washington Post, March 17, 2005
Taking trip to South Korea with other House Members and staff funded by Korea-U.S. Exchange Council, a business-financed group created with the help of a lobbying firm headed by DeLay’s former chief of staff. The Council is a registered foreign agent, and House rules state: “a Member, officer or employee may not accept travel expenses from a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal.”
Source: “S. Korean Group Sponsored DeLay Trip; Visits May Have Broken House Rules,” The Washington Post, March 10, 2005
Protecting Delay: Changing Ethics Rules
Changed House ethics rules to let a complaint die if the ethics committee cannot decide whether it should be investigated within 45 days. Link
Source: “After Retreat, G.O.P. Changes House Ethics Rule,” The New York Times, January 5, 2005
Changed House ethics rules to allow either party to block an ethics investigation by voting along party lines, thus denying a majority vote to allow it to proceed.
Source: “After Retreat, G.O.P. Changes House Ethics Rule,” The New York Times, January 5, 2005
Changed House ethics rules to allow several members involved in a single ethics investigation to hire the same attorney. House rules had prohibited this practice in order to ensure one attorney could not gain access to too much information and potentially coordinate testimony.
The House Republican Conference changed its internal rules, rescinding a provision that required a member to step down from a leadership post if indicted. The rule change was itself later rescinded after adverse publicity. Link
Source: “GOP Pushes Rule Change To Protect DeLay’s Post,” The Washington Post, November 17, 2004
Unsuccessful attempts were made to change House ethics rules to eliminate the broad rule that Members should conduct themselves in a manner that “reflects creditably” on the House. This had been the basis for sanctions by the ethics committee and the House. Link
Source: “House to Consider Relaxing Its Rules; GOP Leaders Seek Ethics Changes,” The Washington Post, December 31, 2004
Protecting Delay: Ethics Committee Purge
Speaker Dennis Hastert removed Rep. Joel Hefley (D-CO) as chairman of the Ethics Committee that oversaw three admonishments of DeLay in 2004. Prior to his removal, Hefley said of Republican colleagues he would not name: “They said I was hurting my career here. The implication is that some form of retribution would be taken.” Hefley also told a newspaper after the third DeLay admonishment: “I’ve been attacked; I’ve been threatened.” Link
Sources: “Ethics Panel’s Chair Is the Toughest Seat in the House,” The Washington Post, January 7, 2005; “Hefley: ‘I was threatened’,” The Hill, October 13, 2004
Replaced the two members of the Ethics Committee, Rep. Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) and Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH), who both admonished DeLay and voted against the Republican Conference rule changes to protect DeLay, with two Republican loyalists, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Tom Cole (R-OK). Smith and Cole contributed $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, to DeLay’s legal defense fund. Smith also co-hosted a fundraiser with DeLay for Texans’ for a Republican Majority, which is now the subject of a grand jury instigation. Link
Source: “Ethics Purge,” The Washington Post, February 5, 2005
Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA), who replaced Hefley as Ethics Committee chairman, fired several longtime committee staffers, including John Vargo, the staff director and chief counsel, and Paul Lewis, a counsel. Hastings’ office defended his decision to replace Vargo and Lewis as standard practice for a new chairman, although both Vargo and Lewis had been working on the committee since before Hefley was its chairman. Link
Source: “Critics Slam Hastings’ Dismissal of Ethics Staff,” Roll Call, February 17, 2005
Protecting Delay: Intimidate Accusers
After being scolded twice by the Ethics Committee in one week, DeLay responded through his lawyer with a letter to the chairman of the House Rules Committee alleging Rep. Bell’s complaint was filed in order to “raise funds for non-member groups,” specifically Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). The letter stated “Bell and CREW lodged libelous and specious allegations against Majority Leader DeLay ... apparently with blatant disregard to the veracity of their statements.” In response, Ethics Committee Chairman Helfey said: “If DeLay and his lawyer feel he was treated unfairly, they can come back and we can open it all back up again.” Link
Source: “DeLay attacks accuser after ethics panel rebuke,” The Washington Times, October 9, 2004
Even though the Ethics Committee admonished DeLay for two of the allegations raised in a complaint filed by Rep. Chris Bell (R-TX) (and is withholding a ruling on a third allegation pending the outcome of prosecutions in Texas), the Ethics Committee in November 2004 warned Bell against using “excessive or inflammatory language or exaggerated charges” and threatened disciplinary action against Members who filed complaints the committee considered excessive or inflammatory. This action serves to discourage the already rare Member-filed complaint to the ethics committee. Link
Source: “Foe of DeLay Rebuked By House Ethics Panel,” The New York Times, November 20, 2004
Retaliation against Ronnie Earle, the Texas district attorney who is investigating possible violations by DeLay. Specifically, legislation introduced in the GOP-dominated Texas legislature to halt Earle’s high-profile grand jury probe. The legislation would have taken authority over campaign finance violations from the district attorney and given it to a special office in the Texas Ethics Commission that would have the power to stop district attorneys from prosecuting election code violations. Link
Source: “Texas Ethics Bill Could Allow Appointees to Bar Prosecutions,” The Washington Post, February 20, 2005
Fixing the Problem?
Mollohan Resolution: Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-WV), the ranking member of the House Ethics Committee, introduced a resolution (H Res. 131) March 1, 2005 that would undo the controversial changes made to the House ethics rules at the beginning of the 109th Congress. The resolution would repeal the new rule allowing either party to block an investigation by voting along party lines; repeal the new rule allowing a case to die if the committee takes no action within 45 days; repeal the new “collusion” rule, allowing one lawyer to represent more than on individual involved in an ethics case. The resolution has 206 co-sponsors, including Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) and former Ethics Committee Chairman Rep. Joel Hefley (R-CO). It has been referred to the House Rules Committee and a subcommittee, ironically, also chaired by the new ethics committee chairman, Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA), who can block the resolution from moving. Mollohan has threatened a discharge petition if the resolution is not brought to the House floor. Link
Source: “Mollohan Offers Resolution To Reverse Ethics Changes,” National Journal’s CongressDaily, March 02, 2005
Committee Organization Stalls: Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV), ranking member of the Ethics Committee and his Democratic colleagues on the panel refused to allow the committee to operate under the new rules adopted at the beginning of the session. They blocked the committee from organizing or operating in the new Congress until the new rules changes are repealed. Link
Source: “Ethics Panel Faces Organizational Fight,” Roll Call, March 10, 2005
Pelosi “Privileged” Resolution: Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the House minority leader, introduced a “privileged” resolution (H. Res. 153) March 15, 2005, that would have established a bipartisan task force to recommend changes to House ethics rules. The House voted to table (kill) the motion, 223-194, along party lines, except that Rep. Joel Hefley (R-CO) voted against tabling. (To read the resolution and House debate on it, click here. For a breakdown of how House members voted, click here.)
Source: “Hefley joins Dems on ethics,” The Hill, March 16, 2005
Slaughter Request of the House Rules Committee: In a March 17, 2005 letter, Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), ranking member of the House Rules Committee, asked Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-CA) to hold hearings on the House ethics process and move the Mollohan resolution. (link to Slaughter news release)
Hastings Requests More Funding for Ethics Committee Despite Staff Cuts: Ethics Committee chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) asked the House Administration Committee for an additional $1.7 million in its fiscal 2006 budget, 55 percent more than the $3.1 million it received this year. Hastings claims the additional money would be used to add staff to increase the committee’s “investigative capability” and improve ethics education for Members and staff. Ironically, this request comes a month after Hastings dismissed John Vargo, a member of the ethics committee staff since 1996, and Paul Lewis, a former Justice Department lawyer who joined the committee staff in 1997. Currently, the Ethics Committee can not conduct any business until the face-off over accepting the controversial new ethics rules forced through the Houseis resolved.
Source: “Hastings Seeks $1.7M Increase For Revamped Ethics Panel,” National Journal’s CongressDaily, March 17, 2005
posted on December 12, 2006 11:47:15 PM new
Tom Delay should be sitting in a federal prison for the next 25 years at least. He is one of the most corrupt politicians that has ever stomped around the corridors of Congress. THANK GOD we finally got rid of him.
I am also especially grateful to the voters of Pennsylvania for getting rid of that idiot Rick Santorum, that man was a little Hitler in disguise.
posted on December 12, 2006 11:58:11 PM new
ATTENTION: TROLL ALERT!!
The only way to deal with trolls is to limit your reaction to reminding others not to respond to trolls.
When you try to reason with a troll, he wins. When you insult a troll, he wins. When you scream at a troll, he wins. The only thing that trolls can't handle is being ignored.
