Letter To Democrat Leadership On Hypocrisy Over Corruption
by Matt Margolis
No Agenda
November 10, 2005
NoAgenda.Org has obtained the following letter, which was recently sent to the Democrat Leadership. It is also being handed out to reporters as they walk into the Democrat Leadership's event at the DNC this morning...
Receiving this letter was Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, Chairman Robert Menendez, Vice-Chairman James Clyburn, and Chairman Rahm Emanuel.
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November 9, 2005
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi
H-204, The Capitol
Minority Whip Steny Hoyer
H-306, The Capitol
Chairman Robert Menendez
1420 Longworth HOB
Vice-Chairman James Clyburn
2135 Rayburn HOB
Chairman Rahm Emanuel
1319 Longworth HOB
RE: Hypocrisy
Dear Members of Democrat Leadership,
We couldn't help but notice yet another delay in the presentation of any legislative agenda from Congressional Democrats. Instead of focusing on the issues of importance to the American people, Democrats continue to offer hypocritical "culture of corruption and cronyism" accusations against Congressional Republicans, and we are earnestly writing this letter so that you can clarify your statements.
In anticipation of your "honesty in government" press conference tomorrow, we wanted to make sure you had the necessary background information to do the day justice.
Ms. Pelosi, in a press release on October 18, you accused the Speaker of the House and Congressional Republicans of "desperately trying to distract the American people from their culture of corruption and cronyism."[1] In 2002, the Federal Election Commission fined your Political Action Committees $21,000 for violating federal election law.[2] Is this the part of the "culture of corruption" that you are referring to?
In 2003, you appropriated $1 million in taxpayer money to the Center of your campaign treasurer, Leo McCarthy.[3] Is this an example of the "culture of cronyism?"
Mr. Hoyer, your office sent out a media advisory on October 6, inviting reporters to hear you talk about the Republicans' "culture of corruption".[4] We have not obtained a transcript of your press briefing and we were wondering what you said about this "culture of corruption." You violated House Rules when you did not disclose 12 privately funded trips over the course of 8 years.[5] Did the "culture of corruption" you discussed include your violations, or did those rules not apply to your circumstances?
Did you discuss the time when your campaign was forced to disgorge campaign contributions from a veteran Democratic fund-raiser who was sentenced to three months in prison for laundering $46,000 in congressional campaign contributions that originated from an Indian diplomat?[6] Also, did you talk about the fine of $15,000 levied on your campaign when it failed to properly report donations totaling more than $140,000?[7] Is this the "honesty in government" you discuss?
Mr. Menendez, you sent out a press release on September 28 that stated: "Every American deserves their day in court, but today's indictment is further evidence of the culture of corruption that the Republican Congress has fostered."[8] The New York Times reported that you have funneled $200,000 worth of political consulting and fund-raising contracts to Kay LiCausi, your former staffer.[9] Do you think this fosters a "culture of corruption" and is this the type of "cronyism" upon which your party has chosen as it's one and only agenda item?
It has also been reported that Ms. LiCausi lobbies you on behalf of her clients and that you share the same address at the luxury Independence at the Shipyard apartment complex in Hoboken, New Jersey.[10] Is this further evidence of a "culture of corruption and cronyism?" Or, most probably, those labels couldn't possibly apply to your circumstances?
Mr. Clyburn, on September 27, you stood with the rest of the Democrat leadership in a press conference attacking Congressional Republicans for a "culture of corruption."[11] During the press conference, did you mention your trip to Saipan that was allegedly paid for by lobbyist Jack Abramoff? Does that fall into your definition of a "culture of corruption"?! [12]
Mr. Emanuel, on NBC's Meet the Press, you called on Republicans to "join Democrats in literally changing the culture of corruption that exists here, that affects all the institutions of the people's House."[13] The Chicago Sun-Times reported employees from the Chicago Department of Water Management won promotions, raises and overtime in exchange for working on your campaign.[14] Is this part of the "culture of corruption" or "honesty in government" that you are looking to change?
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has not returned almost $30,000 in contributions from convicted felon and former Democrat Member of Congress, Frank Ballance, despite calling on Republicans to return campaign money because of allegations against Congressman Tom DeLay.[15] Is this the "culture of corruption" or just a culture of hypocrisy?
Mr. Emanuel, we thank you for your offer to join you and other Democrats in changing a "culture of corruption and cronyism" and bring "honesty in government.". We imagine that you view this as a bipartisan task and despite the fact that you have lobbed countless attacks using allegations against only Republican Members, any undertaking would include addressing Democrat transgressions starting with your own. In the meantime, we would like to invite you and rest of your party to choose ideas and a real agenda and join Republicans in leading this nation by imposing fiscal discipline and cutting federal spending, extending economically sound tax relief for working families, winning the war against terror, securing our borders, and enforcing and strengthening our immigration laws.
Thank you for your attention in this matter.
Sincerely,
Patrick T. McHenry
Member of Congress
John Carter
Member of Congress
Trent Franks
Member of Congress
Pete Sessions
Member of Congress
Tome Price
Member of Congress
Lynn Westmoreland
Member of Congress
Joe Wilson
Member of Congress
W. Todd Akin
Member of Congress
E. Scott Garrett
Member of Congress
[1] Pelosi Press Release, October 18, 2005
[2] AFFILIATED LEADERSHIP PACS FINED, States News Service, March 26, 2004
[3] Pelosi's ally gets $1 million for center; Watchdogs eye conflict, 'patronage,' in Leo T. McCarthy funding, The Oakland Tribune, February 21, 2003
[4] Hoyer Media Advisory, October 6, 2005
[5] GOP Digs Through Files For Democratic Transgressions, National Journal's CongressDaily, April 11, 2005
[6] Md. Political Fund-Raiser Sentenced to Prison; Judge Seeks to Make Example of Lawyer Who Laundered Contributions to Democrats, The Washington Post, August 07, 1996
[7] Hoyer fined for late filing on donations; Gifts shortly before election not revealed, The Baltimore Sun, February 17, 1996
[8] Menendez Press Release, September 28, 2005
[9] A Swift Climb Up the Ladder For an Ex-Aide To Menendez , The New York Times, July 17, 2005
[10] McGreevey Loyalists Allege Menendez Affair, The New York Sun, August 20, 2004
[11] Pelosi Press Release, September 27, 2005
[12] Democrats' Travel Costs Linked to Lobbyist, The Washington Post, May 4, 20
[13] NBC's Meet the Press, October 2, 2005[14] Daley defends Water Dept. flushing: 'Everybody has responsibilities', Chicago Sun-Times, June 7, 2005
[15] North Carolina; NRCC Hits Democrats For Ballance Donations, Roll Call, October 19, 2005
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