[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 49 (Thursday, April 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             PROTECTING THE PURPOSE OF THE ETHICS COMMITTEE

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                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 2005

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, for the past six weeks, 
Democrats have attacked Majority Leader Tom DeLay's character, 
leadership and intentions.
  Although Democrats continue to smear Congressman Tom DeLay, they 
forget that they are responsible for preventing the Ethics committee 
from investigating the charges directed at Mr. DeLay. Since the 
beginning of the 109th Congress, House Democrats have refused to allow 
the Ethics Committee to meet to address this issue.
  Four Ethics Committee Republicans have pledged that as soon as 
Democrats permit the Ethics Committee to function again, they will vote 
to form an investigative subcommittee to review various allegations 
concerning travel and other actions by Congressman DeLay.
  Majority Leader DeLay has said all along that he wants to appear 
before the Ethics Committee to address recent accusations. 
Unfortunately, Democrats prefer to attack his character for political 
purposes rather then officially investigate these allegations. 
Democrats should stop playing politics with the House Ethics Committee, 
and should give Congressman DeLay the opportunity to defend himself 
through the Congressional ethics process.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops and we will never forget 
September 11th.

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