The DeLay Rankings: how close is your representative to Delay?

The DeLay Rankings: how close is your representative to scandal-plagued Tom DeLay?

Tom DeLay is under an ethical cloud. He's being investigated for taking overseas golf trips and other junkets on the dime of front groups and shady lobbyists. To his colleagues in Congress, though, he's a true sugar daddy. Everybody "owes Mr. DeLay for something—a job, a piece of legislation, or a large campaign contribution," says The New York Times. We've created a ranking based on how often they vote the way DeLay does, how much DeLay's PAC contributed to them, how much they've contributed to DeLay's legal defense fund, and so on.

http://www.pcactionfund.org/delayspocket/

here in Nebraska. I can't see any massive corruption anyway.

I have no recourse. The saddest thing is that but for the sake of 40 miles or so, I'd be represented by Louise.

town hall meeting on SS but he's in with DeLay

160 John E Sweeney 20 R $4,915 $0 90.09% 4.30

Think we have a good candidate to defeat him in '06!

Read and enjoy....

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding possible ethics violations by Congressman Tom DeLay. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me on this matter.



The United States House of Representatives has procedures in place to review and discipline Members of the House who violate the law and the internal congressional rules. We live in the greatest country on the face of the earth and one of the greatest principles that I adhere to is the fact that all Americans are innocent until proven guilty. Until the House has a chance to review the charges against Mr. DeLay or a court of law in this nation finds that he is guilty, we should all withhold judgment on any allegations leveled at the Majority Leader.



The role of politics in the case of Mr. DeLay should not be underestimated. Feverish attempts to demonize one of the most powerful Republicans in the House are not new. For instance, last year, a specious racketeering charge was filed against him and was ultimately dismissed by federal judge. Last summer, upset Members of the opposing party leveled unfounded ethics charges against Mr. DeLay which were quickly dismissed. Most of the recent press stories running in the papers are nothing more than a rehashed version of accusations that have appeared elsewhere. Despite the sensational headlines that decry violations, none of the stories printed provide hard evidence of any wrongdoing. Waiting for Mr. DeLay to have his day in court and a fair hearing of the allegations before the Ethics Committee is the ! only way for these charges to be fully vetted and for any of us to determine if any laws or ethics rules have been violated.



As you may know, the United States Constitution authorizes the House of Representatives to discipline a Member of the House for disorderly behavior. This includes violations of statutory law, violations of internal congressional rules, and any conduct which the House of Representatives finds has reflected discredit upon the institution. All complaints are submitted to the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, where it is determined by the bipartisan committee if an investigation should be conducted.



Investigations must be undertaken by an investigative subcommittee. The Committee must designate four members, with equal representation from both parties, to undertake the inquiry. They are responsible for all proceedings, including interviewing witnesses and the examination of evidence. Upon completion of the inquiry, the subcommittee may adopt a Statement of Alleged Violation if it determines that there has been a violation, or it may transmit to the Committee a report containing a summary of the information received in the inquiry, its conclusions, and any appropriate recommendation.



The Committee may recommend no further House action, issue a Letter of Reproval or a Letter of Admonition without recommending action by the full House, or recommend one or more sanctions if it determines a rules violation has occurred. The sanctions that may be recommended include expulsion, censure, reprimand or admonishment, a fine, loss of seniority and loss of certain privileges. Typically, the House has supported the Committee s recommendations, although it is not required to do so.



The Committee is careful not to discuss publicly allegations received and those under review before determining their merit or deciding to begin a preliminary inquiry. Committee rules prohibit the chairman and ranking member from making public statements about matters before the Ethics Committee unless authorized to do so by the committee. This rule also prohibits members and staff from disclosing any evidence relating to an ongoing investigation unless authorized by the committee.



I am confident that Majority Leader De L ay looks forward to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct reviewing any and all allegations filed against him. No matter what your personal opinion of Mr. DeLay is, I trust that you value the system of justice we hold dear in the United States as much as I do. Subsequently, I hope that you will monitor the situation and make your ultimate judgment of Mr. DeLay once all the facts have been revealed.



Again, I want to thank you for taking the time to contact me. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further assistance on this matter. I also invite you to visit my Web site at Crenshaw.house.gov for additional information on issues facing Congress.




Sincerely,

f

ANDER CRENSHAW

Member of Congress

AC: ner

I am embarrassed to admit this buffoon is my rep. I intentionally ignore any news reference to him so don't know if he and Delay are chummy but suspect they are.