USA: Politics: Congress Republicans launch strict new rules vs corruption of members

Stinking of corruption smell, the majority party in the USA House of Representatives have shouldered out of the way the obstructions of those tainted in the Abramoff Lobbyist Scandal, to start the machinery of reform on the issues involved regarding the offenses involved. About time. Washington Post reporter Jim Abrams tells us:

"The problems we have been reading about stem from violation of existing rules," [Dennis] Hastert, R-Ill., said in apparent reference to [Jack] Abramoff, who sought to influence lawmakers through donations, meals at his high-priced restaurant, golfing trips and skybox seats. Abramoff has pleaded guilty to corruption-related charges and is cooperating with prosecutors.

Democrats, who are unveiling their own lobbying ethics package on Wednesday, chided Republicans for addressing the issue only after the Abramoff controversy helped bring down two senior Republicans and cast a shadow on next fall's elections.

And well the Dems should chide, but they shouldn't pretend they're not into receiving Lobbyists' gifts and perks. The disease in the House has been all-too-bipartisan. Some commentator remarked that the Republicans received 60% of Abramoff's favours, but even that partisan figure favouring the Democrats, leaves the Democrats guilty of receiving a whopping 40% of the Great Lobbyist's largesse.

It's important to note that many of the all-out Conservatives among GOP House members have long records trying to establish and maintain very strong strict ethics rules, on issues of lobbying and others. But the Dems receive many of their favours from media powers, who at times publish erroneous and personally-targetted pieces aimed at the most articulate Republican reformers. A current case is the lousy treatment meted out by Dem-lackeys at New York Times and Washington Post, by take a look at Eleanor Clift's attempt to praise and sneer at Gingrich at the same time. According to what I've heard on TV just now from Newt Gingrich, who the Dems fear because of his campaign now from outside Congress to get new stricter and well-monitored reformed legislation, the new Newts inside the House GOP are taking up the cudgels for a cleaner-than-thou Republican Congressional caucus. - Politicarp

Hat Tip to Hugh Hewitt's blog in a post by Mary Katharine Ham, "We Intend to Announce a Plan" (Jan17,2k6).