The investigations by two separate ethics offices include an examination of the powerful subcommittee chairman, John P. Murtha (D-Pa.), as well as others who helped the PMA Group secure earmarks for clients. The lawmakers received campaign contributions from the firm and its clients. Records obtained by The Washington Post show that the members under scrutiny also include Peter J. Visclosky (D-Ind.), James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.), Norm Dicks (D-Wash.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) , C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.) and Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.)…
Under the description of the OCE inquiry, the document says investigators are looking at members who might have been “accepting contributions or other items of value from PMA’s PAC in exchange for an official act.” A Hill source cautioned that the ethics committee has not gathered a significant amount of material and has not zeroed in on specific members.
Together, the seven members have personally steered more than $200 million in earmarks to clients of the PMA Group in the last two years and received more than $6.2 million in campaign contributions from PMA and its clients in the last decade, according to an analysis by Congressional Quarterly and Taxpayers for Common Sense.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Registration is currently closed. That means if you're not already registered, you can't comment. We will let you know if and when registration re-opens. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Culture of
CorruptionTotally Awesome Shiny Unicorns!Good Lt on October 30, 2009 at 8:02 AM
Most. Ethical. Congress. EVAH.
Enoxo on October 30, 2009 at 8:04 AM
So, what was it exactly that clogged the drain on the swamps of corruption?
apostic on October 30, 2009 at 8:06 AM
I kind of understand now why the French freaked out and beheaded so many government people during their revolution.
I mean – this is out of control people.
I would say that history suggests that there will some drastic event that will cause the end of all this and put us back to the basics.
It can’t come soon enough.
HondaV65 on October 30, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Shameless twits. Throw out every single one of them out of office.
Let’s see how long he stays in office.
nyx on October 30, 2009 at 8:17 AM
Meanwhile Rangel and Dodd still sit on their respective committees and the demorats don’t seem too concerned about their misdeeds.
Bishop on October 30, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Of course this type of thing will never, ever, happen once the government is running health care.
BadgerHawk on October 30, 2009 at 8:31 AM
MSM Headline: Bill Young (R-Fla.) and Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) Under Investigation For Corruption
LibTired on October 30, 2009 at 8:32 AM
Term limits… stat.
mankai on October 30, 2009 at 8:32 AM
Glad there is an investigation…but why do they drag it out for years? We’ve known Murtha’s been corrupt for ever, Rangel and Dodd.
I just want to see something done before I die. yikes!
becki51758 on October 30, 2009 at 8:43 AM
That town needs an enema.
csdeven on October 30, 2009 at 8:45 AM
With two year terms, House members theoretically can be easily replaced before they do too much damage. Yet with a 20% approval rating for Congress, 80% + of these bozos get reelected term after term.
“Throw out those bums! Except mine, s/he is doing a pretty good job.”
GnuBreed on October 30, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Demonizing MILITARY SPENDING AS CORRUPT. SPIN GAME.
marklmail on October 30, 2009 at 8:51 AM
An investigation, huh? Oh glory flippin’ hallelujah. Wake me when these power-hungry freaks start going to jail.
Aitch748 on October 30, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Only half?
AZCoyote on October 30, 2009 at 9:01 AM
You do know which two will be really focused upon, don’t you?
steveegg on October 30, 2009 at 9:12 AM
oh, they get investigated & they get re-elected. that is what happens up there. I HATE it.
also Brian Moran isn’t my Congressman, but he sure looks mean, doesn’t he?
kelley in virginia on October 30, 2009 at 9:25 AM
I agree. The corruption and cronyism just runs too deep to be weeded out over time, there will have to be some sort of catharsis to get rid of it, most likely a revolution. Unfortunate, but we’re dealing with people that are abysmally arrogant and stupid that won’t get the message till the headsman’s axe is poised over their necks
Sugarbuzz on October 30, 2009 at 9:40 AM
See problem solved! Back to the most ethical Congress Evah!
LincolntheHun on October 30, 2009 at 9:41 AM
Norm!
29Victor on October 30, 2009 at 9:51 AM
Oh, please, please, please . . . let them find dirt on Norm Dicks. That is the only way WA will get rid of him.
Voter from WA State on October 30, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Term limits indeed. 12 years max for members of Congress. Mix or match, it all works out the same. Serve your country and then GO HOME.
And let’s do it the Constitutional way, mmm’kay??
itzWicks on October 30, 2009 at 11:39 AM
With a flamethrower.
UltimateBob on October 30, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Here is a term limit petition:
http://www.termlimits.org/content.asp?admin=Y&contentid=28
bigjack on October 30, 2009 at 12:18 PM