Ethics Investigations for Repubs and Dems
- Posted on September 1, 2010 at 10:45am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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A number of House lawmakers are facing probes by Congressional investigators regarding travel expenses, the Wall Street Journal reports:
The investigation follows a Wall Street Journal article in March that said lawmakers had used daily cash stipends, meant to cover certain costs of official government travel overseas, to cover expenses that appeared to be unauthorized by House rules.
According to “several lawmakers who have been contacted by ethics investigators,” the list includes: Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), as well as Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) and Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-TX). Former Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) was also reportedly contacted by investigators.
Some, such as Rep. Wilson who is accused of using funds to buy marble goblets in Kabul, have defended themselves. Wilson spokeswoman Pepper Pennington says the goblets were less than $2 a piece and were gifts for military members. “Focusing on personal purchases under $2 while over 14 million Americans are out of work does not reflect the priorities of the American people,” she told the WSJ.
Wilson is the same Congressman who famously shouted “You lie!” to President Obama during last fall’s Congressional health care address.
It could be a while until the public knows the results of the investigation, according to the WSJ: “Investigators won’t make the probe public until after the election due to a House rule that bars announcements of ethics investigations in the months before an election.”
This summer has been filled with such investigations. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) was charged with 13 ethics violations while Rep. Maxine Waters is facing an ethics hearing regarding federal bail out funds given to a bank with ties to her husband.
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Laslavic
Posted on September 15, 2010 at 5:07pmwhy even bother. Everyone know that the media will focus on the republicans while gracefully avoiding putting any spotlight on their patrons from the left. The fact that we‘ve found an equal amount from both party’s is convenient. Watching how the media worked so hard to put the several republicans in the spotlight as often as possible while downplaying or completely ignoring the same if not worse behavior by more (if memory serves me) democrats with regards to the Abramoff scandel…http://newsbusters.org/node/3465 has a list of all the politicians that took money. Today you’d never know even one democrat was involved….If only the republicans had such loyal side kicks as the leftist do. The only news outlets the right has are useless politically .they’re honest.
Report Post »Sledgehammer
Posted on September 12, 2010 at 12:50pmAre these the same people who gave Chris Dodd a free pass, without even looking? To my fellow Americans, I’m so sorry (being from CT.) for Chris Dodd, he may be a male, but he is hardly a man!
Report Post »paulblack
Posted on September 11, 2010 at 7:30pmInvestigation dose not mean guilty , it’s simply a way of “employment” for every 400 investigations, approximately 2,456,876 collage grads are given new jobs in the public sector and approximately 10 in the private sector. HOW LET THE DOGS OUT WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!! can you here it as the as Congress is letting out?
Report Post »smartypoop
Posted on September 6, 2010 at 6:52pmI don’t care what party you’re in, you should be investigated and if found guilty, impeached from office.
Report Post »These shenanigans are unacceptable conduct for any elected official. I do think that they should be investigated by an independent entity, like the Inspector General’s office. Never did buy the whole we can investigate ourselves thing. I would like to nominate our Senator Inouye to be investigated. He funneled stimulus money to a Hawaiian bank that he founded, owned 60% stock in and actually made a profit from that stock after the stimulus money was received. Got a big problem with that one!
patriotgeek
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 4:03pmWhat about Spencer Bachus? And his insider… I meant his stock market trading. Will that cost him his seat on the house finance committe?
Report Post »senah
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 3:21pmWhat a stupid expense reporting system. Every purchase should be made on a credit card. You go over the daily per diem rates in the area, you fricking pay back the government. Easy. Giving cash for a trip is way stupid.
Report Post »joshua
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 2:45pmjust like the church needs to get back to the 10 commandments, we as a Nation, need to get back to the Constitution….i dont think contributions are bad neccessarily but unless you can MANDATE the accurate reporting of ALL, then do away with them….
Report Post »You GOooh Girl
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 1:44pmTake a look at GOOOH.com
You GOooh Girl
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 1:43pmThe representatives are not being held accountable. It is difficult to get anyone different elected because of the money needed. And then what happens when you get donations for your campaign? Also, the parties are controlling what is being done not the individual representatives. We need to fix these problems before we can have any kind of true citizen representation in Washington.
You GOooh Girl
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 1:42pmGlennTX – you are right. Fundraising opens the door to corruption. We need to do something different in order to stop this.
Report Post »Iowa_man
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 1:14pmI find it interesting that rules that exist for us, don’t exist or are bent for members of congress and senate. Our elected officials should be subject to the same rules and laws that we have to follow. Same health care, same pension plans, same rule of law. They are no different from us.
Report Post »patriotgal
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 12:28pmWhat about our queen of travel Speaker Pelosi? I guess the bigshots are still exempted from investigations while a majority rules.
oregonrr
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 12:17pmPolitical parties exist to safeguard us from evil and advance our holiness. Congressmen and Senators alike exist to keep us from falling away from God and to lead us back to God. Judgment has a time, and let the judgment begin. But first, let us do so after we just rose from knees. As James Bragga once said, “boys and girls, you never need to be afraid of a man who just got up from his knees.” Makes one wonder how many folk have been on their knees lately, huh?
Report Post »MrMark
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 12:04pm“Investigators won’t make the probe public until after the election due to a House rule that bars announcements of ethics investigations in the months before an election.”
How convenient for them. Heaven forbid that the electorate be aware of any criminal activity on the part of their elected representatives.
GlennTX
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 11:56amHaving to fundraise and really fundraise if you want to be competetive in the election, opens the door to corruption, I mean it really opens the door and turns off the alarm system for corruption to stroll right on in and take over.
Libertygirl44
Posted on September 2, 2010 at 2:06amWhy should there be rules to protect them before elections? Theycan certainly lie about their opponents any time they want.
Report Post »smartypoop
Posted on September 6, 2010 at 6:44pmGlenntx; I have to disagree with you when you say; “Having to fundraise and really fundraise if you want to be competitive in the election, opens the door to corruption, I mean it really opens the door and turns off the alarm system for corruption to stroll right on in and take over.” IMO, a total lack of character, morals and integrity opens the door to corruption. Running for office, fundraising and sitting in office merely presents the corrupt an opportunity to be more corrupt.
Report Post »GQ
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 11:20amSo lets see – what happens next.
If I understand the rules – all actions have to be completed by the end of this congressional session, and quick is not necessarily good.
And why not list these folks in alphabetical order (state or last name)?
joshua
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 2:40pmi want a List exposing ALL who “fudge” their expense reports…i dont care if it is $2…..shows alleged violators priorities, not the Nations nor its People…judgement should be reflective of violation….1 day in prison for every 1 dollar wasted!
Huapakechi
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 11:15amWhy aren’t there 400 or so investigations of Congress for violating their oath to support and defend the Constitution?
Report Post »Charity101
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 10:54amWhy stop there …they ALL need to be investigated “D”s and “R”s.
If guilty of Congressional Rules or other “Crimes” …prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. Send them to prison, if warranted …I think many of them need to on the “Chain Gang” doing actual work for a change.
jblind
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 11:18amI agree with your sentiment, however, it is sad that rules for using government funds do not apply to lawmakers as they would apply to the ordinary citizen. I would be surprised to see punishment more harsh than a sternly worded email (with cc to their parents) to the offending legislators and in the case of Chuck and Maxine, a letter of censure and a revocation of parking privileges.
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