Posted on 08/02/2004 6:52:16 AM PDT by jmstein7
The Senate Ethics Committee rejected a complaint filed against Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) for continuing to draw a paycheck despite having missed most of the legislative session this year while campaigning for president. At the time of the filing, Kerry had voted only 14 times out of the Senate's 112 votes this year.
Secretary of the Senate Emily Reynolds was also named in the complaint, citing her responsibility to enforce the federal statute that requires she make deductions from a senator's paycheck for absence. In a letter to American Conservative Union Chairman David Keene, Reynolds refused to enforce the statute because her predecessors had not done so in other cases.
The complaint was filed by Hofstra law student Jonathan Stein, who accused Reynolds of willfully violating a federal statute and criticized Kerry for knowingly accepting salary to which he is not entitled.
A letter from Ethics Committee Chief Counsel Robert Walker said that Stein's complaint "lacks substantial merit." He noted that no deductions have been made in over 100 years, and "reasonable uncertainty over the continued viability" of the statute Stein says has been violated.
Following the dismissal of the complaint, Stein told Talon News, "Though this result was not unexpected, I am deeply saddened that the Senate Select Committee on Ethics has opted to put petty politics above ethics, the rule of law, and the American taxpayer."
He said that by refusing to enforce its own laws, the Ethics Committee has "shamefully abused the trust of the American people -- allowing them to be pickpocketed by Senator Kerry at will."
Stein was critical of Reynolds for failing to enforce the law.
He said, "An officer charged with a clear, unambiguous duty under the law does not legally have the discretion to ignore her mandate merely because she thinks the law is impractical."
He says that the law in this matter is "absolutely clear" and lawmakers cannot consider themselves above it.
Stein says that ignoring the law is not an option. He believes that the Senate must either enforce the statute or repeal it.
"I do not believe that the American people would take very kindly to Congress repealing a law that holds its members accountable for missing work, saving hard-earned taxpayer money," he said.
The Hofstra law student is considering alternatives to press his point.
"John Kerry and the Secretary of the Senate are guilty of presenting false claims against the United States treasury," Stein said. "If the Senate will not act to uphold the rule of law and to hold Senator Kerry and the Secretary accountable for stealing from the taxpayers, the others who support my cause and I have no choice but to turn to the Federal Courts for relief."
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey previously called on Kerry to resign his seat, citing his dismal attendance record.
She said, "If any of us attended our job only 13 percent of the time, we'd be fired."
Healey went on to say, "It's not fair, it's not right, and the public is not being well served."
"I'm calling on John Kerry to resign so that we can fill that office with someone who is 100 percent devoted to the job of representing the people of Massachusetts," Healey added.
Soooooooooooooo because it hasn't been done in 100 years is the reason for dismissing the case??
Figures. I notice the intell committee didn't boot him off for refusing to show up.
Looks like his punishment is going to be in the hands of the American people, as it should be.
TC
Their argument is specious. When the FCC started to levy fines on Howard Stern, the counter argument was the same but they lost.
As he's saying this I'm thinking, "you POS, you won't bother to show up but you want the rest of Congress to go back to DC?" Apparently a reporter asked him about it and he answered he would show up to vote and debate.
I hate this turd. If he's so confident about being elected, why doesn't he resign?
Well done!
Jonathon,
On behalf of all of us here on FR, THANK YOU!! You have learned a lot from your experience. Keep up the good fight!
Doing some quick math, I have decided that I can now take on additional employment at liberally biased firms based upon Kerry's own work history.
If I actually show up for work only 13% of the time, then I can work a total of 7.692 jobs. For the purpose of simplicity, let's say only 7 jobs. That should put me well on to the road of a being a multi-millionaire (without having to marry into money...). And, thanks to John "Hey, did you know I served in VietName and got three Purple Hearts?" Kerry, I can cite to any future employer that working only 13% of the time has been duly sanctioned not just by Kerry himself but also by the Senate.
But going in, I didn't expect that level of legality nor integrity, did you? I think you did as much as you could, and far more than most even imagine.
Congressman Billybob
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I guess there was just "no controlling legal authority", was there?
I love how in his response to Pres. Bush's presser, Kerry called for Congress to be called back to go to work. I'm sure he will excuse himself from attendance since running to replace Bush is much more important. ;-)
Senate Ethics . oxymoron?
Awesome job, Mr. Stein! Keep those jaws gripped tight around their legs ;) BTTT
Pretty neat Jon. I just love your quotes!
It is getting noticed. Hastens got in a dig yesterday when asked about keeping Congress in session in August to handle the 9/11 Commissions findings.
This morning, someone else got in a dig on Fox News about the same thing.
It's working.
Oooohhhh... I wish that they would let ME go after Kerry on TV! I would wreck him with the truth.
I missed this the 1st time I read this.
Please tell me you were mocking Tommy Daschel.
Oh...............
I was mocking Tom Daschle :)
Absolutely outstanding. Keep up the good fight.
Best,
Bootyist
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