(2006-01-16) — With allegations of influence-peddling and corruption surrounding lobbyist Jack Abramoff dominating the headlines, the U.S. Congress today stepped aside from its influential position as a co-equal branch of the federal government, pending completion of a Justice Department investigation.
The step follows a weekend move by Rep. Bob Ney, R-OH, to leave his post as chairman of the House Administration Committee, and Texas Rep. Tom DeLay’s previous decision not to try to regain his House Majority Leader position.
More than 200 House members, and a majority of Senators have received money from the disgraced Mr. Abramoff.
A resolution passed on unanimous voice votes in the House and Senate, noted that “the good of the country is more important than any single branch of government, and the recent focus on the lobbying scandals has become an overwhelming distraction to lawmakers.”
Republicans and Democrats disagreed over who would run the federal government in the absence of Congress.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV, said President George Bush would rule by secret executive orders, as he has been doing for the past several years.
Acting House Majority Leader Roy Blunt, R-MO, said the federal judiciary would continue to govern the land as it has for almost four decades.
In either case, experts agree, that even though elected representatives have withdrawn from the troika of power, the American people will still have just as much influence over their government as they have had in the recent past.
1 response so far ↓
1 NIF // Jan 16, 2006 at 3:49 pm
Happy Equality Day!
Today’s dose of NIF - News, Interesting & Funny … Happy Equality Day!
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