The Verdict Is In: Senate Ethics Committee REFUSES to Enforce Salary Law Against Kerry!

FR ^ | 7-29-04

[jmstein7]

Well, the Ethics Committee has finally responded to the Ethics complaint against Kerry and the Secretary of the Senate.

Here is their letter:

As you see, the Senate Ethics Committee has refused to enforce a statute passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President (in August of 1996).  If they don't like it, they have to REPEAL it; you can't just decide not to enforce a clear, unambiguous statute!

You can let them hear about it tomorrow at 202-224-2981.

[McGruff]

What does "The Great One" have to says about this subject?

[jmstein7]

Ethics Committee Response BUMP!

[I got the rope]

What the hell? These people are unbelievable!

[mabelkitty]

Then I guess the whole "we need 60 votes for a cloture or we will have endless filibuster" rule is now null and void?

Doesn't this set a precedent?

[I got the rope]

Whose signiture is on that letter?

[SeeRushToldU_So]

Is this where the saying, "The rich get richer" comes from?

[jmstein7]

The Chief Counsel.

[Izzy Dunne]

In general, I agree with you, but in Kerry's case, I doubt that he would even notice (financially) if his salary was withheld.

All the more stupid why he doesn't do the right thing... It can't be the money itself.

Unless Teresa's got him on a slim allowance...

[mattdono]

Good going, John. Let us know if any of us can help.

[kristinn]

They are a law unto themselves. And they will protect themselves.

[mattdono]

Other than calling tomorrow, which I already have on my "to do" list.

[mabelkitty]

It has something to do with his getting a loan.
She can't give him money, so he borrowed against his house and claimed his salary could cover it (even though everyone knows that is not the case).

I suspect he may opt out of public financing and may need to do this again? JMHO.

[jmstein7]

That's why this letter has to be made as public and visible as possible. It is a smoking gun -- evidence of what you wrote.

[mabelkitty]

The Senate Royal Princes.
You know it.

[concerned about politics]

Unless Teresa's got him on a slim allowance...

I suppose she would. His commanders in Viet Nam said he belonged in a straight jacket.

[jmstein7]

Also, it would help if the mods stopped pulling this post out of the "breaking" category. This IS breaking news.

[conservative in nyc]

As you know, 2 U.S.C. Section 39 reads:

The Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives (upon certification by the Clerk of the House of Representatives), respectively, shall deduct from the monthly payments (or other periodic payments authorized by law) of each Member or Delegate the amount of his salary for each day that he has been absent from the Senate or House, respectively, unless such Member or Delegate assigns as the reason for such absence the sickness of himself or of some member of his family.

What part of shall does the Senate Ethics Committee not understand?

And this so-called dead law was last amended in 1981 and 1996.

Typical liberals. A clear statute applies unless it applies to them. Remember Algore's "no controlling legal authority" other than a statute directly on point argument about his fundraising activities?

How do you plan on getting standing to sue?

[jmstein7]

Ahhh... I can't reveal my strategy :)

[El Cid]

"Kudos. I sure hope so. They're stealing from us. They're being paid for services not rendered."

It is not so much that, it is just the utter disregard for the law displayed by those that are supposed to be our 'lawmakers'...
Lie to Grand Jury? Ok (at least if you're the Demo Prez)...
Take classified documents from the Archives? OK (at least if you're a former Demo Adviser).
'Marry' homosexuals in your city -- even though it is against the State Law? -- OK
Give illegal immigrants a free pass? -- Again, ... OK

A lawless government that picks and chooses the laws it seeks to enforce is a government run by outlaws, and not by representatives pledged to uphold the Constitution.

We were founded as a nation of laws - primarily Biblically based - starting with the 10 Commandments. And as we've removed the 10 Commandments from the schools and courtrooms we've become a nations of relativists.

"In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes".

[concerned about politics]

This means all those in Washington no longer have to show up for work. They can stay home and collect their welfare checks.