Doc's House Call

On Friday, both the Minority and Majority Leaders of the US House moved to have the investigation of Mark Foley sent to the House Ethics Committee. At first glance you might think that Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader in the House and John Boehner, republican Leader are working together to take immediate corrective action in the wake of Mark Foley’s resignation. Think again.

Mark Foley, (now “ex”) republican congressman from Florida resigned last week over the revelation of illicit emails and instant messages between himself and at least one underage male page working in the US House. Both Pelosi (D-CA) and Boehner (R-OH) moved quickly to have the matter referred to the House Ethics Committee, chaired by our very own Richard “Doc” Hastings from Washington’s 4th CD. If you look closely at the language of their separate motions however, you will see that, while Pelosi is seeking a comprehensive and meaningful investigation, Boehner is counting on Doc’s reputation of inaction to provide election year cover for yet another republican scandal.

On Friday, Pelosi sent a “Privileged Resolution” to the floor of the House that spelled out the “who knew what when” timeline of Foley’s actions. Amongst the persons indicated in the timeline was Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La) in whose office the known victim worked, Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Majority Leader Boehner. In a preliminary investigation it had been determined that each of these republican members were aware of Foley’s indiscretions for as long as a year ago. Pelosi’s resolution called for an investigation that would not only deal with Foley’s conduct but also examine the republican “leadership’s” role in the matter. Sensing yet another wide-spread republican scandal in an election year (one that would put him in the investigative spotlight) Boehner immediately stepped up to quash the resolution and put forward his own -more limited- motion to simply move the investigation of Foley’s actions on to Doc’s committee.

Considering that, in a year when republican lawmakers are falling like flies from charges of money laundering, bribery, and war profiteering one would think that Doc’s committee would be the most overworked in the House. Yet, of all the potential ethics investigations he has been faced with, Doc has chosen to chase only after our own Jim McDermott over a years old case involving a 1st Amendment dispute – a case whose chief beneficiary would be none other than John Boehner.

Well Doc, here is yet another chance to do the right thing (some might say a chance to do anything). What you have before you is something much more important than who might have wasted a few tax dollars or who may have abused the power of their office to divert a Pentagon contract to a less than honorable contractor. You have before you a case of sexual abuse of a minor by a member of Congress.

Now you can take the Boehner approach of a narrowly scoped and drawn out investigation. Or, given the fact that Foley has already resigned, you may simply choose to not investigate at all. Or you can do the right thing and look at the entire picture of possible deceit and cover-up at the highest levels in Congress. You have the opportunity to make a solid statement as to the House’s tolerance level when it comes to the sexual abuse of the children who come to work and learn in your halls. What course will you pursue?


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue