Letter: Congress, why delay on Delay

Thursday, July 7, 2005 (via TownOnline.com)

To the Editor:

The lack of action by Congress in acting properly in the matter of U.S. Rep. Tom Delay, R-Texas, baffles a great many of us ordinary Americans, since he has repeated - and I suspect willfully violated - many of the rules of conduct of the House.

Public Citizen recently provided a list of his transgressions since August 1997. They are worth repeating here, so that your readers may understand just how highly the House regards its own rules of conduct.

August 1997: Delay took a six-day trip to Moscow paid for by business interests lobbying in support of the Russian government. He stayed at an exclusive resort with John Abramoff, the lobbyist: Total for two days $3,000.

May 7, 1999: Delay receives a private letter of reprimand from the House Ethics Committee for holding up a vote on a bill because the company sponsoring the bill had elected a Democrat as its president.

May 2000:Delay treats supporters to a six-seat sky-box leased by Jack Abramoff, at a famous concert.

August 2000:Delay and his wife accept a trip to England and Scotland paid for in whole or in part by Jack Abramoff. House rules explicitly forbid any foreign travel paid for by a lobbyist or his firm.

Sept. 16, 2000: Delay flies 30 lobbyists for a weekend of partying and golf to thank his corporate sponsors.

2001:Delay's political action and campaign committees begin funneling $500,000 to his wife and daughter as so called compensation for "fund-raising fees" and "campaign management."

July-Sept. 2001: Delay's defense fund accepts illegal contributions from registered lobbyists.

April-June 2003: Again Delay's defense fund accepts illegal lobbyist contributions.

Sept. 20, 2004:The House Ethics Committee issues its second admonishment of Delay for offering to back Sen. Smith's son for Congress in exchange for a pro vote on the Medicare drug bill.

Oct. 2004:The House Ethics Committee issues its third admonishment to Delay for participation in a 2002 fund-raiser and for intervention in the Texas redistricting bill.

Dec. 2004-present:Delay faces a flood of accusations concerning his ties to scandal-ridden Jack Abramoff as well as several lavish overseas trips that appear to be paid by lobbyists.

And still he lingers on with this sort of malodorous career behind him. What is Congress afraid of? We, the American people deserve much better.

Admont G. Clark

Orleans