John Kerry: Skiing and Campaigning on the Taxpayer's Dollar
In 1996, Bob Dole had the tact to resign his vaunted leadership position in the Senate, and his Senate seat, when he need to campaign full-time.
Apparently, John Kerry is selfish and thoughtless, lacking the discretion of Senator Dole.
Not only has Senator Kerry refused to resign his seat (he doesn't even hold a leadership position), Senator Kerry has been absent for this entire session (except for one gun-grabbing vote) and absent for 64% of the last session.
This is unacceptable.
What is even more unacceptable is that the Secretary of the Senate has refused to dock Senator Kerry his pay, as is required by federal law.
2 U.S.C. § 39 mandates that "The Secretary of the Senate ... shall deduct from the [salary] of each Member ... the amount of his salary for each day that he has been absent from the Senate ... unless such Member ... assigns as the reason for such absence the sickness of himself or of some member of his family."
The Secretary of the Senate has refused to enforce this law, saying that, because her predecessors had failed to enforce the law, she would not enforce it either.
So, not only is Senator Kerry not doing his job as a Senator (but getting paid anyway), but he is Skiing and campaigning on our dollar.
This must not stand.
Please call the Secretary of the Senate, Ms. Emily Reynolds, and tell her to follow the law and deduct from Kerry's salary.
Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the office of Emily Reynolds, Secretary of the Senate. They will put you through. |
