Ethics committee postpones DeLay investigation

[cal04]

In another show of the power of money in Washington, the House Ethics Committee resorted to an option that has never been used before that could, in effect, kill the ethics investigation into Tom DeLay’s illegal fundraising and his role in Texas redistricting. After nearly three months of reviewing the charges against DeLay, the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Ethics committee postponed today’s hearing and have decided to put before the committee the question of whether to proceed with the investigation. This unprecedented move could result in a deadlock among the ten member committee resulting in no further action in this Congress.

“I’m outraged that the Committee is giving DeLay a pass,” said Morrison. “Soliciting funds for legislative favors, funneling corporate contributions to state races and personally redrawing districts to ensure his power in Washington---these are serious charges and they merit investigation. But when four of the five Republicans on the committee have accepted thousands of dollars from DeLay how can they be trusted to judge him impartially? If DeLay is innocent of these violations he should demand the investigation proceed so his name can be cleared.”

Of the five Republican members of the committee all but Chairman Hefley have accepted contributions from DeLay’s PACs. The Committee refused to turn over the investigation to an independent counsel despite precedents set by ethics investigations into two other powerful members of Congress—former Speakers of the House Newt Gingrich and Jim Wright.


http://www.richardmorrisonfordistrict22.com/news/pr040915.php

[faithnotgreed]

1. smart response from our guy morrison. what a sham delay is

[AlCzervik]

2. *sigh* When will karma come for Delay?

Hopefully in my lifetime.

[LisaLynne]

3. Considering all the things he's done ...

... he's not going to be able to pay off all that karmic debt in HIS lifetime. He's writin' checks his a** will be paying for the next 50 lifetimes. Have fun, Tom.

[whistle]

5. It is already, with the good life that Tom Delay has experienced....

...he has put on at least 30 lbs and his heart must be totally encased in excess fat. He'll be dead and reborn as an 3rd world labor animal, hopefully a donkey!:nopity:

[Darby]

4. Here's how to contact the committee and urge them to PROCEED

CONTACT THE CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS COMMITTEE (5 Dems, 5 Republicans) TO DEMAND THAT THEY VOTE FOR A FULL INVESTIGATION OF THE ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST TOM DELAY (filed by Chris Bell) AT THIER SEPT. 20, 2004 MEETING.

********We just need to get ONE Republican to vote with the Dems**********

The complaint covers three allegations:

1) DeLay's soliciting a bribe from Westar Energy in return for an amendment to the energy bill that would have resulted in millions of dollars in savings for the company;

2) DeLay's use of his PAC, Texans for a Republican Majority to launder corporate money, converting such funds into hard dollars that were donated directly to candidates for the Texas State Legislature; and

3) DeLay's use of the Federal Aviation Administration to track down a plane carrying Texas legislators who had left the State to avoid voting on DeLay's partisan redistricting plan.

***

ETHICS COMMITTEE MEMBERS
http://www.house.gov/ethics/CommitteeMembers.htm

10 Members = 5 Dems + 5 Republicans

THE REPUBLICAN MEMBERS:

JOEL HEFLEY - Colorado
2372 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-225-4422 voice
202-225-1942 fax
http://www.house.gov/hefley/contact.shtm

DOC HASTINGS – Washington
1323 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-4704
[phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://www.house.gov/hastings/district.html

JUDY BIGGERT – Illinois
1213 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://judybiggert.house.gov/contact.asp

STEVEN LATOURETTE – Ohio
2453 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone - [phone]
http://www.house.gov/latourette/contact.htm

KEN HULSHOF - Missouri
412 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2509
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=360&lvl=C


Read the ethics complaint at http://www.citizensforethics.org/activities/20040615 /

[Darby]

6. Make sure you contribute $$$ to Morrison campaign today