(Backlog) Wally Responds Re; Tom DeLay Ethics Investigation

Sent Oct 25, 2004

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Dear Patrick:

Thank you for contacting me regarding allegations of ethics violations filed by outgoing Representative Christopher Bell (D- TX) against House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX). As you may know, on October 6, 2004, the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct concluded its investigation into the allegations brought forward by Rep. Bell. I have included the rulings segment of the Committee's joint statement concerning this matter below:

"Today the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, by unanimous votes, adopted each of tlie recommendations made by Chairman Joel Hefley and Ranking Minority Member Alan B. Mollohan for disposition of the three counts of the complaint that was filed against Representative Tom DeLay on June 15, 2004. Those recommendations are detailed in a 44-page memorandum from the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member to the other Committee members. The memorandum was accompanied by approximately 100 pages of attachments consisting of documents that they obtained in their fact-gathering activities under Committee Rule 16(c)."

The memorandum with attachments and the letter of admonition are available on the Committee Web site, http://www.house.gov/ethics. In addition, Majority Leader Delay issued a response to the Committee's ruling. Its text is included below:

"The Ethics Committee has done the right thing in dismissing Mr. Bell's embellished allegations with bipartisan unanimity. While the allegations were dismissed, I accept the Committee's guidance. Mr. Bell displayed contempt for Congress by manipulating the ethics process in pursuit of his personal vendetta, and today's dismissal says more about Mr. Bell's conduct than it does about anything else. "

"The Committee was forced to complete its work in a highly divisive atmosphere fostered by politically motivated individuals and entities who have attempted to tamper with and influence the congressional ethics process for partisan gain. For years, Democrats have hurled relentless personal attacks at me, hoping to tie my hands and smear my name. All have fallen short, not because of insufficient venom, but because of insufficient merit. Mr. Bell's allegations, coordinated with one of these groups, intentionally misstated law and facts and violated the spirit and letter of House Ethics Rules. Although I believe this filing should have been thrown out immediately, I have spent the last four months cooperating with the Committee fact-finding. To expedite this matter, I even offered to waive my rights to bring this matter to closure. I'm glad this matter has been brought to its conclusion. I would invite my political opponents to engage the battle of ideas instead of misusing the congressional ethics process or abusing the legal system in a misguided attempt to settle scores. I'll continue to work hard to advance the cause of Republican governance, which I believe is critical to America's security, prosperity, and families."

Again, thank you for contacting me on this important issue. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.

Sincerely,
Wally Herger
Member of Congress

The DeLay Rule

It's been a while since my last post. I have some pretty stock replies from Congressman Herger I need to scan. But the news right now is who supported the DeLay Rule. I called the Chico and DC office, only to get no answer from Herger's staff. He is listed as being willing to give written answers to constituents. So here it goes.

Let me first say that even though we rarely agree on policy, I respect your public service. You represent me in the House, and I think you should know what I think about certain topics. Congressman DeLay is one of those topics. The rules that were just over-turned to allow Congressman DeLay to stay in power even if he is indicted were put in place during the Clinton administration to take out Democratic leadership. Which, is fine really. If there is corruption in Washington, by all means it should be stamped out.

But to have one set of rules when the Democrats are in power and another set of rules when the GOP is in power is just not right. I would also like to state the three admonishments from the Ethics Committee do not constitute being cleared of the charges.

Which is why I must ask you if you supported the "DeLay Rule." I called both your Chico office and your DC office and your staff did not know your position. I understand that this was a voice vote, but you were acting as my representative when you made that vote. I deserve to know in the name of accountable government.

If you did support it, did you support the original rule to remove people from power when they were indicted? If you did, could you please explain to me how this is not gross hypocrisy, an attempt to seal the GOP in power and move towards a one party system?

I can't wait to hear back...