Dems keep Jefferson off Ways and Means

AP on Yahoo ^ | 12/12/06 | Jim Abrams - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - House Democrats, insistent that they will hold lawmakers to higher standards, decided Tuesday that Rep. William Jefferson (news, bio, voting record) will not return to an influential committee until a federal corruption investigation involving him is completed.

Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi said the Democratic Steering Committee had resolved that Jefferson, who last Saturday won a runoff election in his New Orleans district, will not be given back his spot on the Ways and Means Committee, the panel that determines tax and trade policies.

At Pelosi's urging, the House last June stripped Jefferson of his committee assignment because of the corruption investigation that included an FBI document asserting that agents had found $90,000 in bribe money in the Louisiana Democrat's freezer.

Pelosi has promised to make lobbying and ethics reform a top priority when she becomes speaker next month, and the Jefferson case has been cited as an early challenge.

Jefferson, the first black member of Congress from Louisiana since Reconstruction, has denied any wrongdoing, and the Congressional Black Caucus has questioned the idea of punishing him before his legal case has been settled.

While depriving Jefferson of his committee assignment, the Democrats have been mum about another member of the Ways and Means Committee, Rep. James McDermott, who on Monday was admonished by the House ethics committee for violating ethics standards by giving reporters access to an illegally taped telephone call involving Republican leaders a decade ago.

Pelosi must also make a decision about Rep. Alan Mollohan (news, bio, voting record) of West Virginia, who is in line to become chairman of an Appropriations subcommittee that oversees the FBI. Mollohan faces questions about personal business deals.

Jefferson also holds a seat on the House Budget Committee. It was unclear if he would retain that seat in the next Congress.

[NormsRevenge]

Congressman William Jefferson D-New Orleans, with his wife Andrea Jefferson speaks to supporters in New Orleans Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006. Jefferson defeated democratic State Representative Karen Carter for re-election .(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

[Patrick1]

Racists!

[kellynch]

That's so big of them. /sarc

[misterrob]

His opponent warned voters that he would lose his positions in committee.

She was right.

[ozzymandus]

It can't be because he's a criminal, since all RATS are criminals, so it must be racial discrimination!

[linn37]

Its a start.

[jazusamo]

Looks like Pelosi's "culture of corruption" is coming back to bite her.

[ASOC]

"Congressional Black Caucus has questioned the idea of punishing him before his legal case has been settled"

Where were these guys when Foley was 'outed'?

[NormsRevenge]

While depriving Jefferson of his committee assignment, the Democrats have been mum about another member of the Ways and Means Committee, Rep. James McDermott, who on Monday was admonished by the House ethics committee for violating ethics standards by giving reporters access to an illegally taped telephone call involving Republican leaders a decade ago. --

--

We should be looking at one and maybe 2 or 3 indictments in '07,, and that's just on the dem side. ;-)

Time will tell if Pelosi can deliver on her swamp remark.

[italianquaker]

the media will have no choice but to report it

[My2Cents]

The Dems have spent more time keeping corruption-tainted members off of committees than they have in formulating a new leadership structure.

[dfwgator]

Nancy Pelosi doesn't care about black people.

[Jackson57]

Didn't Screamin' Howie Dean call for Tom Delay to report to jail even before the investigation, much less trial (if there is one), of his alleged ethics violations has been completed?

[rottndog]

If Nancy kicks McDermott, she will be in a world of hurt--dissing the blacks and the anti-war loons...

[EagleUSA]

What? You mean just because he was on the take for COLD CASH, he cannot serve on Ways and Means??? Bigots!!!! Why Nazi Pelosi says she has the most ethical Congress ever -- just ask Murtha!!!

[Lurking in Kansas]

Bwahahaha. Watch the fireworks begin.

[thelastvirgil]

I smell rank racism, and I hope the Congressional Black Caucus calls Pelosi on this outrage. The nastier the battle among the RATS, the better for the country as far as I am concerned. We should all email Jackson-Lee, Waters, Tubbs, Conyers, et.al., and demand they stand up for their fellow victim.

[ASOC]

In Delays case it was less ethics and more campain reform money mumbo-jumbo.

I say, let anyone buy what they want, I have an off button on my TV.

[dfwgator]

Dennis Hastert has to be upset that his newest, bestest buddy, William Jefferson won't get the gig.