WP: Democrats Challenge New Ethics Panelists

[kskiska]

DeLay Gifts Prompt Call for Removal

House Democratic leaders yesterday sought the removal of two recently appointed Republicans from the House ethics committee, questioning whether their contributions to Majority Leader Tom DeLay's legal defense fund would color their judgment on issues involving him.

The committee deferred action last year on investigating any role played by DeLay (R-Tex.) in a corporate campaign-donation controversy in Texas that led to indictments of three of his political associates.

Rep. Lamar S. Smith of Texas contributed $10,000 to the defense fund and Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma donated $5,000, according to an analysis by the watchdog group Public Citizen.

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland requested the removal of the two in a letter to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (Ill.). The speaker's spokesman, Pete Jeffries, said Democrats want to "politicize the ethics committee."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15284-2005Feb10.html

[GetTheRightVote]

1. Go Democrats keep out in the open the truth of the repubs.

:kick:

[proudbluestater]

2. Good on Nancy! Never quit fighitng the good fight!

[xchrom]

3. Pete Jeffries, said Democrats want to "politicize the ethics committee."

pete jeffries must be practising for a new carrer as a stand-up comediene.:silly: