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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: T L Comiskey who wrote (58897)	10/6/2004 8:58:15 PM
From: Raymond Duray	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 89467

No More Time For Delay! Let's get rid of this corrupt creep! This full page letter will be published in Roll Call rollcall.com tomorrow: commoncause.org Open Letter to the House Ethics Committee To: House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct As Members of the House leave Washington DC soon for their re-election campaigns, we call your attention to unfinished business regarding allegations of improper conduct by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX). The only credible way to proceed is to appoint an outside counsel to investigate these allegations in a timely manner. Nearly four months ago, Rep. Chris Bell (D-TX) filed a complaint concerning Mr. DeLay’s involvement in raising illegal corporate contributions for a campaign to influence the congressional redistricting process in Texas. The Committee has not indicated how, whether or when it plans to conduct an investigation into the allegations. The Committee “admonished” Mr. DeLay last week for using a combination of political promises and threats to induce Rep. Nick Smith (R-MI) to vote for the GOP-backed prescription drug bill. Mr. DeLay was also “admonished” by the Ethics Committee in 1999 for threatening to punish a Washington trade group after it hired a Democrat as its president. With the indictment last month of three of Mr. DeLay’s aides in Texas in connection with the redistricting donations, the questions about what role, if any, he played in these activities are serious. The Ethics Committee must investigate these allegations: • First, the Committee must adhere to its established precedent and retain an outside counsel to conduct the inquiry, as it did when complaints were filed against former House Speakers Jim Wright (D-TX) and Newt Gingrich (R-GA). Given Mr. DeLay’s stature as one of the most powerful members of the House — with the ability to influence committee chairmanships, allocation of appropriations funding, and other important matters to Members and their districts — we question how a House colleague could impartially judge him. An outside counsel would ensure the investigation results would be independent and therefore credible. • Second, the complaint must be addressed in a timely manner. Members of the 109th Congress will likely be asked in January to re-elect Mr. DeLay to a House leadership position. It is critical that the serious allegations against Mr. DeLay be resolved before Members decide whether he should continue in the leadership of his party in Congress. When faced with an inquiry by the Committee, former Speaker Gingrich said, “The ethics process is important, and the integrity of the people’s House is central to honest self-government.” We agree, and we urge the Committee to take the steps outlined above. Public confidence in the congressional ethics process — and Congress itself — is at stake. Sincerely, Chellie Pingree President and CEO Common Cause 1250 Connecticut Ave. NW Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 T 202-833-1200 F 202-859-3716 www.commoncause.org