Both congressional ethics committees are irresponsible
The U.S. Senate Ethics Committee has responded to a November 22, 2005 letter from government ethics advocate Democracy 21 that requested the committee to investigate possible wrongdoings by congress persons in relation to indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Their response is they will not do so, as they deem it to be in procedural conflict with same case investigations by the U.S. Justice Department. The U.S. House Ethics Committee has not even responded to the letter. This ineptness by both of the committees concerns "the Abramoff affair, which could turn out to be the biggest congressional scandal of modern times," stated Fred Wertheimer, President of Democracy 21.
''The Justice Department and the congressional ethics committees each have their own responsibilities here, both of which are extremely
important and must be carried out,'' Wertheimer said. ''The Justice Department is responsible for pursuing violations of the criminal laws. The ethics committees are responsible for ensuring that members of Congress comply with congressional ethics rules, regardless of whether any laws have been broken.''
Both the House Ethics Committee, and the Senate Ethics Committee, are irresponsible in respect to former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. We, the voters must replace our irresponsible incumbents with responsible challengers on election day. This voter action is necessary this year and following years to help politicians understand that we, their constituents, will no longer tolerate such lack of responsibility in Washington!
Source: Democracy 21
