Having problems with message search?
This is a hugely important issue. Please
take the time to consider signing this petition.
Beth
From: Chellie Pingree,
CEO Common Cause [mailto:CauseNet@...]
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2005 12:33
PM
To: Beth Rivin
Subject: Call for an Outside
Counsel to Investigate DeLay
Last week we
rightly celebrated the decision by Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) to reverse the
ethics rules changes that eviscerated the ethics process in the House of Representatives.
However, as we have said all along, rolling back the damaging rules is only an
important first step to broader reforms.
And, if the public is to have any confidence in an ethics investigation of
Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-TX), the appointment of an outside counsel is
essential. That is why we are launching a campaign
today to demand that Congress appoints an outside counsel to investigate the
ethics allegations against Tom DeLay:
Call for an Outside Counsel to
Investigate DeLay
http://www.commoncause.org/DemandOutsideCounsel
We need an outside counsel in place to investigate the mountain of allegations
piling up against Tom DeLay. In the end, the Constitution requires
Members of the House to pass judgment on Delay, but an outside counsel can
investigate and make recommendations for sanctions. Here's why we need an
outside counsel:
- Ensure a thorough
investigation outside of DeLay's sphere of influence:
We need an impartial investigator able to operate outside the sphere of
Tom DeLay's influence in the House of Representatives. As Majority
Leader, Tom "The Hammer" DeLay wields influence and control over
members in his party. He determines who gets coveted committee
appointments and whose bills are passed. He doles out favors and
dollars at election time from his political action committees and has
proven he will do just about
anything to get a member to toe the party line.
Republican House members fear the Hammer. That is why we need an
outside counsel who be will be immune to the power of Tom DeLay.
- Avoid conflict of interest:
We are very concerned about the ability of Republican members of the
Ethics Committee to impartially judge DeLay. In February, after all, DeLay
and GOP leaders orchestrated a purge of Republican Ethics Committee
members and staff they viewed as too critical of DeLay, replacing them
with party loyalists. The new Republican members of the Ethics
Committee, Reps. Lamar Smith (R-TX), Tom Cole (R-OK) and Melissa Hart
(R-PA), have all received money from Delay's federal political committee,
Americans for a Republican Majority (ARMPAC). What's more, Reps. Cole
and Smith also donated to DeLay's legal defense fund, which is designed to
defend DeLay from the various ethics charges on which they will sit in
judgment. Therefore, we must have an outside counsel who will be
free from any potential conflict of interest while investigating DeLay.
- Strong precedent:
There is precedent for appointing an outside counsel to investigate a
powerful congressional leader like Tom DeLay. Congress brought in
outside counsels to investigate ethics allegations against other prominent
House leaders, including former Speakers Newt Gingrich (R-GA) and Jim
Wright (D-TX). An investigation of one of the most powerful
congressional leaders in recent memory merits an outside counsel.
For these reasons,
please sign our petition
calling for the appointment of an outside counsel in the investigation of Tom
DeLay. A message that you signed the petition will automatically be sent
to your Representative:
http://www.commoncause.org/DemandOutsideCounsel
Many in Congress think the ethics issue is resolved. It's not. There is
no question that reversing the ethics rules that made it nearly impossible to
start an ethics investigation was a first step. Now, at least, the Ethics
Committee can organize and begin its business. We have even learned
that Members from both sides of the aisle
are scrambling to make sure their own offices
have complied with ethics rules as they pertain to travel and other
issues. But we need to go further. Congress must appoint an outside
counsel so that it can ensure a thorough, credible investigation of DeLay:
http://www.commoncause.org/DemandOutsideCounsel
So please sign our petition today
and forward it to friends and family and ask them to join us in this phase of
our important campaign to hold Tom DeLay and other Congressional officials
accountable for their actions.
Thank you again for
all you do for Common Cause.
Sincerely,
Chellie Pingree
President & CEO, Common Cause
To remove yourself from this mailing, please click here
Offline 
Send Email