BREAKING: CREW files complaint against Sen. McCain

[ensho]

http://www.citizensforethics.org/node/43628


CREW filed a Senate ethics complaint today against Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), whose disregard for official Senate rules led him to use outside funds to pay for robocalls in other senators’ states that urged voters to support passage of his motion to quash the Senate’s healthcare reform legislation.

First reported in National Journal, Sen. McCain apparently recorded calls urging the constituents of Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Kent Conrad (D-ND) to pressure their senators to support his motion.

Here’s the script of his Arkansas call:

On Monday I introduced the first Republican amendment to the massive health care bill, which would send the bill back to the Senate Finance Committee and stop the Democrats from cutting vital Medicare coverage for our seniors. I need Sen. Blanche Lincoln to join me in this effort. If you agree with me, please go to our website at www.healthcaretaskforce.org and sign a petition to Sen. Lincoln urging her to join my effort to fight a Washington DC government takeover of your health care.
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Senate Rule 38 prohibits senators from having “unofficial office accounts” – meaning they can’t use private donations to support official senate business. Sen. McCain reportedly funded these robocalls with money from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), therefore blatantly using outside money to pay for advancing his senatorial agenda.

If Sen. McCain wanted to lobby voters, then he should have used his own money to do it. The Senate’s rules are clear – if the NRSC paid for his robocalls, his actions were improper.

Ethics rules are not optional.
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get him!

we all know how much of a cheater he is.

[Old Codger]

1. Government ethics???

Are a joke, anyone who thinks anything that resembles ethical behavior in any of the branches of our government has to have been living in a cave, out of touch with the rest of the world for a long time... ESPECIALLY in regards to anything McLame does

[Canuckistanian]

2. Why is CREW doing ethics prosecutions?

Isn't there an Ethics Committee in the Senate?

[WhiteTara]

3. you are such a funny one!

the Congress laughs in the face of such nonsense. ;)

[Canuckistanian]

4. I know, I'm so naive

Someday, when I'm old and gray I'd like a job where I can rest and do nothing. Maybe I can get on this Senate Ethics Committee.

[WhiteTara]

5. LOL That was good! n/t