Congress Faces Multiple Criminal Probes

[cal04]

For the first time since the Abscam scandal a quarter-century ago, multiple lawmakers face criminal and ethics investigations that are tarnishing Congress, already low on public approval. Three separate bribery investigations by the Justice Department were bad enough news for lawmakers. But the woes only increased last week when the House ethics committee broke a 16-month partisan gridlock and announced investigations into the same matters.

"We have an entire generation who imagines their member of Congress in an orange jumpsuit," said Paul Light, a New York University professor of public service, referring to the common prison uniform. "It's like members of Congress don't have any shame." Six House members and a senator were convicted in Abscam, the bribery scandal that became public in early 1980 and ended a golden, post-Watergate era of congressional reforms.

Instead of dwelling on new laws to regulate campaign donations, provide greater access to government records and protect privacy, the public thought about Abscam. The name came from Abdul-scam, after the FBI established a phony business — Abdul Enterprises — and had "representatives" offer bribes to lawmakers. In a forewarning of what could happen now, Congress also extracted its own punishments in Abscam. One lawmaker was expelled and two resigned as they faced expulsion. The voters defeated the others.

Polls conducted recently and at the time of Abscam scandal show similar results, indicating that corruption plays a major role in the public's loss of confidence in Congress. An AP-Ipsos poll conducted at the beginning of this month showed a 71 percent disapproved of the way Congress is handling its job, while only 25 percent of those surveyed approved. A Gallup Poll in June 1980 showed a 56 percent disapproval and 25 percent approval. A CBS News/New York Times poll a month later had the disapproval rate of 51 percent and approval at 32 percent.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060520/ap_on_go_co/congress_scandal

[meow2u3]

1. This scandal should be named Abscam II

The "Ab" standing for Abramoff.

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. Abs of Steal. (No typo.)

[catnhatnh]

2. More Assholery....

Abramoff has been public for how long???Cunningham Plead guilty when???Tom Delay was Indicted when???And now after years of inaction the congressional ethics committee is ramping up to name 1 Dem and 1 GOP....The stupid democrats who allowed this to go forward so that the MSM could trumpet "bipartisan scandals" should be run out of congress....

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Democratic consultants should be forbidden by law

ALWAYS bad timing.

ALWAYS playing into Republican hands.

ALWAYS causing us to lose.

Democratic consultants are fucking worthless.

[elehhhhna]

4. Congress Necessitates Numerous Criminal Probes