Rep. James Traficant Expelled from Congress

Reuters | 7/24/02

[kattracks]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday expelled Democratic Rep. James Traficant of Ohio, making the former sheriff turned convicted felon the second House member since the Civil War to be tossed out of Congress.

On a vote of 420-1, lawmakers booted the nine-term Traficant for ethics violations stemming from his April conviction on federal charges of bribery, kickbacks and tax evasion.

Traficant, 61, became the second House member since the Civil War and the fifth in history to be expelled, and the first since Democratic Rep. Michael Myers of Pennsylvania was removed after a 1980 bribery conviction.

The expulsion vote came after a passionate floor debate during which Traficant professed innocence but a number of colleagues said he must go.

"We have to do our job," said Rep. Gene Green, a Texas Democrat. "If we can't remove a member of Congress who has been convicted of 10 felony counts ... we risk losing the faith and trust of the American people."

"I want your vote," Traficant said in closing. "My people elected me. I don't think you should take their representative away." But he added, softly. "Vote your conscience."

The only member who voted against expulsion was Rep. Gary Condit, a California Democrat who was defeated in a reelection bid this year after being romantically linked to a missing federal intern.

Traficant is to be sentenced next Tuesday for his felony convictions. He plans to run for re-election in November as an independent.

[Slyfox]

No magic. It took a long time to compile. However, it has been immensely cathartic. :)

[Shermy]

I see now.

He's thinking about jail time and combing out the weasels enmeshed in his 'do.

[Askel5]

he was honest enough to tell the truth about the damage Clinton and his crew did to this country. On a previous post, many of his one minute speeches were displayed ranging from China to Waco. He was one of the few who had the guts to at least state the obvious....

That's it ... Off with his head!

The Condit vote's a scream. We gonna run him up the flagpole from here on out every time Congress wants to "send a message" .... his very presence making it a two-birds-with-one-stone reminder to our representatives what can happen to folks who think they call the shots?

Not that everyone's take on scandal or crimes or murder is quite so serious as that of Congress ...

[nunya bidness]

Uncle Bill bump!

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[The only member who voted against expulsion was Rep. Gary Condit, a California Democrat who was defeated in a reelection bid this year after being romantically linked to a missing federal intern.]

THEY STILL THINK SHE'S MISSING?!!?!?! BWAHAHAHAHAH!

They screwed up. Should have said: "...after being romantically linked to an alledgedly missing federal intern."

[Jay W]

Somehow, in thinking about this vote, I keep thinking that old phrase about he who is without sin cast the first stone. In this case it'd be he who is without sin cast the first vote to expel Traficant.

Traficant was a bit of an oddball, to be sure. To speak truth to power and survive as long as he did, you have to be a bit of an oddball. He was railroaded out.

For the Democrats, it was their payback for Traficant voting for Hastert for Speaker. Does anyone really believe that any other Democrat representative is purer, more honest and with less sin than Traficant? (The same goes for the Republicans, except for Ron Paul, though I wonder if he'll be set up on bogus charges, too.)

[Dengar01]

He did, however, call Janet Reno a traitor!!!

[nutmeg]

Traficant's official House website has already been yanked... www.house.gov/traficant

[Michael Barnes]

Shouldn't we keep this on the original thread of the proceedings and all? Would be good for the archives...

[brat]

I'm sad and disappointed in the Republicans for playing politics instead of seeing justice done. Shame on them.

[jumpstartme]

Which 13 don't deserve to go?

I was referring to the hypocrites who voted here tonight. Should've said 420 as Condit is already gone. But, you're right, they probably all should go. I'm just sick of them all. Time to clean house...

[Timesink]

He had sex with Dolly Kyle Browning when she was 15. Her daddy would've been within his right to press charges.

Even in Arkansas?

[rightofrush]

King of Felonies?

[rightofrush]

I did as well.

[Timesink]

The vote tally itself is a major piece of evidence that they ARE out to get him. Just by sheer randomness you'd have expected at least 10 or so members to have voted against expulsion. And after Traficant brought up what, 25 different pieces of evidence that maybe, just MAYBE, this was all a setup from the get-go, I would have expected a good 30 or so members to have given him the benefit of the doubt. But in the end, the ONLY member to vote against him was the one guy that literally had nothing to lose: Gary Condit. I think all members on both sides of the aisle were told by their party leaderships in no uncertain terms, "Vote this guy out, or else."

[rightofrush]

Gore and Clinton did not cross the Bilderbergers and nether has (or ever will) GW, as GHW before him.

[Ronzo]

I don't know why I'm even bothering to post this...but I really do believe that Trafficant was railroaded. I'm no fan of his, but he certainly rubbed the Democraps the wrong way! And the 'craps have a very long and very distingished history of underhandedness when it comes to those who don't play ball...they're almost as bad as the Repub's...

I just don't understand why they didn't just bump the dude off...unless old man was taking preventative measures to make sure that did NOT happen. Hence the 'craps had to settle for just gaving him a good kick in the pants.

I'm gonna miss the old blabber mouth. (sob, tears, much weeping and gnashing of teeth...)

[wardaddy]

He is sure loaded with chutzpah...or is it moxie?...In any event, the guy has tremendous amounts of gall....or denial. An excruciating spectacle to endure.

[Deport Billary]

LOL!!

[wardaddy]

What will we do without the Rod Stewart/Ron Wood hair piece?

What a piece of work...he's facing fairly serious time actually.