Subject: Call for an Outside Counsel to Investigate DeLay

From: "Chellie Pingree, CEO Common Cause" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 02 May 2005 12:28:18 -0700

Dear Common Cause Activist,

Last week we rightly celebrated the decision by Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) to reverse the ethics rules changes that eviscerated the ethics process in the House of Representatives.  However, as we have said all along, rolling back the damaging rules is only an important first step to  broader reforms.  And, if the public is to have any confidence in an ethics investigation of Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-TX), the appointment of an outside counsel is essential.  That is why we are launching a campaign today to demand that Congress appoints an outside counsel to investigate the ethics allegations against Tom DeLay:

http://www.commoncause.org/DemandOutsideCounsel 
 
We need an outside counsel in place to investigate the mountain of allegations piling up against Tom DeLay.  In the end, the Constitution requires Members of the House to pass judgment on Delay, but an outside counsel can investigate and make recommendations for sanctions.  Here's why we need an outside counsel:

 - Ensure a thorough investigation outside of DeLay's sphere of influence:  We need an impartial investigator able to operate outside the sphere of Tom DeLay's influence in the House of Representatives.  As Majority Leader, Tom "The Hammer" DeLay wields influence and control over members in his party.  He determines who gets coveted committee appointments and whose bills are passed.  He doles out favors and dollars at election time from his political action committees and has proven he will do just about anything to get a member to toe the party line (http://www.house.gov/ethics/Medicare_Report_Cover.htm).  Republican House members fear the Hammer.  That is why we need an outside counsel who be will be immune to the power of Tom DeLay.

 - Avoid conflict of interest:  We are very concerned about the ability of Republican members of the Ethics Committee to impartially judge DeLay.  In February, after all, DeLay and GOP leaders orchestrated a purge of Republican Ethics Committee members and staff they viewed as too critical of DeLay, replacing them with party loyalists.  The new Republican members of the Ethics Committee, Reps. Lamar Smith (R-TX), Tom Cole (R-OK) and Melissa Hart (R-PA), have all received money from Delay's federal political committee, Americans for a Republican Majority (ARMPAC).  What's more, Reps. Cole and Smith also donated to DeLay's legal defense fund, which is designed to defend DeLay from the various ethics charges on which they will sit in judgment.  Therefore, we must have an outside counsel who will be free from any potential conflict of interest while investigating DeLay.

 - Strong precedent:  There is precedent for appointing an outside counsel to investigate a powerful congressional leader like Tom DeLay.  Congress brought in outside counsels to investigate ethics allegations against other prominent House leaders, including former Speakers Newt Gingrich (R-GA) and Jim Wright (D-TX).  An investigation of one of the most powerful congressional leaders in recent memory merits an outside counsel.

For these reasons, please sign our petition calling for the appointment of an outside counsel in the investigation of Tom DeLay.  A message that you signed the petition will automatically be sent to your Representative:

http://www.commoncause.org/DemandOutsideCounsel
 
Many in Congress think the ethics issue is resolved.  It's not.  There is no question that reversing the ethics rules that made it nearly impossible to start an ethics investigation was a first step.  Now, at least, the Ethics Committee can organize and begin its business.  We have even learned that Members from both sides of the aisle are scrambling (http://www.suntimes.com/output/novak/cst-edt-novak01.html) to make sure their own offices have complied with ethics rules as they pertain to travel and other issues.  But we need to go further.  Congress must appoint an outside counsel so that it can ensure a thorough, credible investigation of DeLay:

http://www.commoncause.org/DemandOutsideCounsel

So please sign our petition today and forward it to friends and family and ask them to join us in this phase of our important campaign to hold Tom DeLay and other Congressional officials accountable for their actions.

Thank you again for all you do for Common Cause.

Sincerely,

Chellie Pingree
President & CEO, Common Cause

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