Nancy Pelosi snubs Ethically challenged Congressman Bill Jefferson

[Daylin Byak]

This is from politics1.com,

. Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) announced Tuesday the Democratic Steering Committee decided to continue to deny scandal-plagued Congressman Bill Jefferson (D-LA) a seat on the House Ways & Means Committee in the next Congress. Pelosi told the AP she plans to hold House Democrats "to higher standards." Pelosi said she had not yet decided what to do with Congressmen Alan Mollohan (D-WV) and Jim McDermott (D-WA), as both men are currently Dems dealing with ethics problems. McDermott was "admonished" by the House Ethics Committee this week for violating ethics standards by a decade ago by giving reporters access to an illegally taped telephone call involving House GOP leaders

Well all I have to say is good for Nancy, anyone Dem Congressman who has ethics problems should get denyed to be on special and powerful committees like Ways and means.

Looks like the 110th Congress could be a wild Roller coaster for Bill Jefferson if the FBI tends to do more on the cash they found in the freezer

[babylonsister]

1. Do you have any idea why Jefferson hasn't been indicted?

If he's so guilty, why hasn't that happened? (and I'm aware of the $ in his frig, but this doesn't wash)

[Clintonista2]

2. No party is immune from immoral characters...

The reason the dems have so few in comparison to the repugs, is because we are willing to openly punish those who misbehave, we dont just do our best to make sure no one finds out about it.

[Old and In the Way]

3. Welcome aboard!

Obviously, we have warts in our Party. But the Republicans have made it a structural issue in theirs. I honestly think that they go out of the way to find people who show a willingness to take money and not ask questions.

[Gman]

4. McDermott exposed Newt Gingrich for lying when he was caught

in his own ethical problems. I've always felt McDermott did nothing wrong.


http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/01/13/tape/index.shtml

[zulchzulu]

5. Jefferson was a crook a dozen years ago when I lived in Nawlins

I worked at WWL-TV and remember constant reports about how corrupt Jefferson was...the guy is an asshole.

He was always being charged with stealing money...fercrissakes, in Louisiana, you could get cutbacks and either semi-legal payments

[Leilani]

6. While she's at it

She had better do something about Reyes.

Head of Intel Committee, on committee for 6 years, & does not know if Al Qeada is Sunni or Shia

& doesn't know what Hezbolla is.

[hijinx87]

12. reyes will be fine

this tempest in a teapot about the mysteries and inner workings
of al qaeda and hamas isn't going anywhere. the only reason it
made a splash in the first place is that it is a relatively slow
news period.

but had better ace the midterm ;)

[seize the time]

7. But doesn't the law say...

That he's innocent until proven guilty? And why hasn't the Congressional Black Caucus weighed in on this?:grr:

[Freddie Stubbs]

8. The entire Democratic Caucus has weighed in on this

The CBC doesn't get to decide, as he get his committee assignemnts from the Democratic caucus.

[ripple]

10. They have, they wanted him to keep his chairmanship

I think Pelosi made the right move on this one. Jefferson may well be exonerated (although I have yet to hear an explanation about where the freezer money came from or why it was in his freezer), but if people are going to regain any trust at all in congress, ANYONE who is under criminal investigation should at the very least be temporarily suspended from leadership roles until the matter is resolved. In fact, I think it makes sense to write into the ethics rules that members will temporarily recuse themselves from leadership positions should such a situation occur.

[hijinx87]

11. he was actually removed back in june

when he became the subject of the corruption investigation by
the FBI. all pelosi did was not (re)appoint him when he was
reelected.

and I don't believe the CBC has made their opinion known on the
jefferson non-appointment. pelosi pretty much got a pass on hastings,
but it remains to be seen if the same thing happens on jefferson.

[rinsd]

19. CBC wanted him re-appointed

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/121206/cbc.html

[KingFlorez]

14. Money in your freezer looks suspicious

He needs to be dealt with even if he hasn't been found guilty, because there is a good chance he will be.

[nolabels]

16. Maybe he liked the idea of having cold cash on hand!

He should of took it to the local coin-op, freshly laundered green always spends better


http://www.63flyingcloud.com/2006/04/

[KKKarl is an idiot]

9. Go girl

Good job in not starting with the same nonsense the repubs started with.

[Strawman]

13. there's difference between individual and systemic corruption

between a few isolated crooks with a wad of cash in the freezer and a party like the GOP that unashamedly signals that government is for sale to the highest corporate bidder.

[hijinx87]

15. exactly.

and nancy pelosi is proving that by not allowing Jefferson a seat on
the ways and means committee.

[Solo_in_MD]

17. As it should be. He got caught, and when the process is complete will be gone

Not sure why, but the CBC is supporting two congressmen with some serious issues. This gives fuel to critics who claim racial special interest groups are about "my race right or wrong". Pelosi can not be seen as giving in to that kind pressure.

[Infinite Hope]

18. She seems to be very strict with integrity and leadership and I like that.

I was a skeptic before, but she's making a point of proving herself and defining herself to the American public since most don't yet know her. Very smart move.