DeLay Indictment

http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=2055

Sept. 28, 2005

DeLay Indictment Highlights

Culture of Corruption in Washington

*/Statement by Joan Claybrook, President, Public Citizen/*

Republicans swept to power 11 years ago, promising to restore integrity
to government. But the indictment of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay
today shows that something is rotten in the heart of the party's
political structure. DeLay's raw power grab has relied on a complex
influence-peddling scheme designed to consolidate his own power and that
of his party's while giving corporate interests private access to steer
the wheels of government at the expense of citizens.

Americans deserve better from Congress than the culture of corruption
and arrogance that DeLay and the majority party have installed.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle should work together to clean up
the corruption and remove the corporate influence that keeps Congress
from solving the real problems Americans face every day while it doles
out billions to big corporations.

Corruption is not based on party affiliation, but there is one party in
charge in Washington, and that party has the power to enact change. It
should act immediately to do two things. One, replace the dysfunctional
ethics committee with an independent agency that actually investigates
corruption in a nonpartisan way. Two, enact legislation that reforms the
corrupt lobbying system and returns the government to the people.

Until the ethics process is overhauled, an immediate step the House
ethics committee should take is to institute a thorough investigation of
various other allegations involving DeLay, including that he granted
legislative favors to Westar Energy in exchange for a $25,000
contribution to one of the political action committees at the heart of
the Texas investigation. The committee also should closely examine
DeLay's relationship and dealings with lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who seems
to be at the center of multiple scandals involving Republican politicians.

###

*The Charges:
*DeThroneRight
. *Unethical Behavior*
<http://www.citizen.org/congress/delay/articles.cfm?ID=12993>: A look at
Tom DeLay's ethics problems, the House's 'neutered' ethics committee and
the government ethics community's fight to clean up Congress.

. *Undemocratic Leadership*:
<http://www.citizen.org/congress/delay/articles.cfm?ID=12588> A review
of DeLay's authoritarian leadership, under which open debate has been
dramatically reduced, alternative proposals are routinely denied a vote
and the ability to offer amendments has been sharply curtailed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Wit and Wisdom of Tom DeLay
<http://www.citizen.org/congress/delay/articles.cfm?ID=13081>

*Reporter:* Have you ever crossed the line of ethical behavior in terms
of dealing with lobbyists, your use of government authority or with
fundraising?*
* *
Mr. DeLay:* Ever is a very strong word.

/-- During an interview with several Washington Times
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20050413-111439-5048r.htm>
reporters, transcript published April 14, 2005./

------------------------------------------------------------------------

DeLay's Legal Expense Trust

NEW: The Latest Numbers from DeLay's Legal Expense Trust
<http://www.citizen.org/congress/delay/articles.cfm?ID=13738>
. Press Release <http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=1930>
. Accompanying Tables
<http://www.citizen.org/documents/Delay0426Tables.pdf>
. Actual Filing <http://www.citizen.org/documents/DeLayLET1Q2005.pdf>

» congress <http://www.citizen.org/congress> | delay

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