Pelosi appoints "$90,000 freezer" Jefferson to Homeland Security panel

[Dionysos]

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2882970

WASHINGTON Feb 16, 2007 (AP)— House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who stripped embattled Rep. William Jefferson of his seat on a powerful tax committee last year, has decided to put him on the Homeland Security panel, infuriating some Republicans who charge he may be a security risk.


Jefferson, a Louisiana Democrat, was kicked off the Ways and Means Committee amid a federal bribery probe, yet still won re-election to a ninth term.

Pelosi is giving him a seat on the panel after Jefferson was outspoken in his criticism of the homeland security agencies that responded to Hurricane Katrina. His appointment must still be formally approved by the rest of the House Democrats.


The decision immediately came under fire from the top Republican on the committee, Rep. Peter King.


"It sends a terrible message," King, R-N.Y., said Friday. "They couldn't trust him to write tax policy, so why should he be given access to our nation's top secrets or making policy for national defense?"


"Members of the committee have access to intelligence secrets, plots here in the country, overseas, and people under suspicion. This shows how unimportant the Democrats think homeland security is," King said.


Jefferson's chief of staff, Eugene Green, called King's criticism "ridiculous and just politics."


"Representing New Orleans as he does, we're very concerned as to what happened in the wake of Hurricane Katrina," said Green. "It's just natural for the congressman to serve his constituents on a committee of this nature."


Jefferson, 59, is the subject of a federal investigation into whether he accepted bribes related to a telecommunications deal in Africa. The FBI's evidence against him includes $90,000 found in his freezer fodder for late-night talk show jokes but not funny to Pelosi, who had promised to run the most ethical Congress in history.


Pelosi stripped Jefferson of his seat on the Ways and Means Committee over objections from some members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Meanwhile, the FBI's raid of Jefferson's congressional office ran afoul of lawmakers; Pelosi and then-House Speaker Dennis Hastert succeeded in having the seized material sealed, where it remains pending the outcome of Jefferson's legal challenge.

[zcwilly]

Her true colors already shining through.

[PETA]

Yeah but obviously he's a Republican because Democrats are immune to the culture of corruption.

Not sure though what Pelosi can do with the guy. The idiots in LA relected him and now he's her problem. I suppose they could have refused him his seat but which mess is harder to swallow? The barking that he's corrupt - something that will blow over quickly as old hat... what? corrupt politician? From NOLA? Naaaahhhhhh. Or the inevitable allegations of racism from the Black Caucus (which is inherently devoid of racial motive?) for refusing to seat him? Sucks for Pelosi to have to deal with but thems the breaks.

[Dionysos]

Originally Posted by xian

The idiots in LA relected him and now he's her problem. I suppose they could have refused him his seat but which mess is harder to swallow? The barking that he's corrupt - something that will blow over quickly as old hat... what? corrupt politician? From NOLA? Naaaahhhhhh. Or the inevitable allegations of racism from the Black Caucus (which is inherently devoid of racial motive?) for refusing to seat him? Sucks for Pelosi to have to deal with but thems the breaks.

Here's an idea: if he's under investigation by the feds for corruption, it's probably better to let him ride the pine.

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Dionysos

Here's an idea: if he's under investigation by the feds for corruption, it's probably better to let him ride the pine.

lol - it does seem a fairly obvious choice outside of DC doesn't it?

[Dionysos]

Originally Posted by xian

lol - it does seem a fairly obvious choice outside of DC doesn't it?

Watching Pelosi act like there's nothing wrong with this after banging the drum about GOP corruption would be like watching the monkeys in 2001 suddenly forget how to use the bones. Hey Nancy, it's okay to keep beating that drum when you're in the majority.

[Element4040]

Originally Posted by Dionysos

Watching Pelosi act like there's nothing wrong with this after banging the drum about GOP corruption would be like watching the monkeys in 2001 suddenly forget how to use the bones. Hey Nancy, it's okay to keep beating that drum when you're in the majority.

Why is there voter apathy? lol

[Adam D]

Originally Posted by Dionysos

Watching Pelosi act like there's nothing wrong with this after banging the drum about GOP corruption would be like watching the monkeys in 2001 suddenly forget how to use the bones. Hey Nancy, it's okay to keep beating that drum when you're in the majority.

All reps sit on committees. He was reelected, so he had to go somewhere. That being the case, it makes sense to keep him away from the Ways and Means committee. If he has some ideas about how Homeland Security could have done a better job in New Orleans, it makes sense to put him on that committee to propose legislation to make changes.

[Dionysos]

Originally Posted by Adam D

All reps sit on committees. He was reelected, so he had to go somewhere. That being the case, it makes sense to keep him away from the Ways and Means committee. If he has some ideas about how Homeland Security could have done a better job in New Orleans, it makes sense to put him on that committee to propose legislation to make changes.

I don't see how it makes sense to put a guy who shows he can be bought in any committee whatsoever. Moreover, it's not like he's the only Louisiana rep around, there are others who could do the job in his place.

[transplant]

I <3 bi-partisan corruption

[I AM EL-NINO]

Just goes to show all the doubters out there about how clean Liberalism is.
NOT!

[e-brake]

This is why I cant stand either political party. There are two parties to vote for in the USA...and you will get the exact same results either way.

[I AM EL-NINO]

Originally Posted by e-brake

This is why I cant stand either political party. There are two parties to vote for in the USA...and you will get the exact same results either way.

Bingo!
Sux doesnt it?

[Adam D]

Originally Posted by Dionysos

I don't see how it makes sense to put a guy who shows he can be bought in any committee whatsoever. Moreover, it's not like he's the only Louisiana rep around, there are others who could do the job in his place.

As far as I know, all reps have to have committee assignments.

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Adam D

As far as I know, all reps have to have committee assignments.

They can be denied their seat though - not sure of the process but it can be done