Lakhota
Diamond Member
By Josh Israel
A growing number of ethics questions and investigations are mounting for the Republican House majority, despite earlier leadership pledges of ethical purity.
In 2010, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) promised that if his party won the majority in the midterm elections, he (as majority leader) and his colleagues would take the toughest possible stand on ethics.
So, how are they doing?
Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), finance vice chair for the National Republican Congressional Committee (the House GOPs campaign arm), is reportedly under federal grand jury investigation for alleged reimbursement of campaign donors by his companies, improper tax deductions, inaccurate Congressional disclosure reports.
Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL), (R-AL) continues to chair financial services despite an ongoing investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics for alleged insider trading.
Rep. Howard Buck McKeon (R-CA), continues to chair the House Armed Services, despite reports that Congressional investigators allege he got a special cut-rate on his Countrywide home loan.
Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA), continues to chair the House Judiciary Committees Immigration Policy and Enforcement Subcommittee, despite reports that Congressional investigators allege he got a special cut-rate on his Countrywide home loan.
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), continues to chair the House Rules Committees Rules Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process, despite reports that Congressional investigators allege he got a special cut-rate on his Countrywide home loan.
Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) continues to serve, despite ongoing Federal Election Commission and House Ethics Committee investigations into reports that he engaged in illegal campaign fundraising.
Rep. David Rivera (R-FL) continues to serve despite reported IRS and FBI investigations into alleged tax evasion and failure to disclose $132,000 in loans from a company co-owned by his mother.
Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) continues to serve despite a reported $117,000 in unpaid child support payments.
According to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Reps. Ken Calvert (R-CA), Gary Miller (R-CA), and Tim Murphy (R-PA) have also been under investigation over the past two years for ethical issues, yet all three continue to serve.
Even Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), who chairs the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform was hit with an ethics complaint last September. The Office of Congressional Ethics has not yet addressed allegations by American Family Voices that Issa used his public position to promote his private financial interest and Issas office has denied wrongdoing.
More (with source links): REPORT: Despite Cantors Zero Tolerance Policy, More Than 10 GOP Congressmen Embroiled In Ethics Scandals
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk3XkBT-NAA&feature=player_embedded]Cantor on Rangel and a 'zero-tolerance' policy - YouTube[/ame]