Posted on 06/08/2006 5:32:13 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - Democratic leaders worked to strip embattled Rep. William Jefferson (news, bio, voting record) of his committee assignment on Thursday after the Louisiana lawmaker rebuffed repeated calls to step aside pending completion of a federal bribery investigation.
Jefferson, at the center of an increasingly complicated legal and political controversy with racial overtones, insisted he would not go quietly. "I can guarantee" he will not voluntarily step aside, said Melanie Roussell, his spokeswoman.
The congressman has not been indicted and has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. He is a member of the Ways and Means Committee, with authority over taxes, Medicare, trade, Social Security and more.
Several officials said Jefferson had rebuffed a final appeal to step aside in a meeting with three fellow Democrats dispatched by party leaders. They spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the delicate nature of the conversation.
Within hours, the same leadership group met and voted to remove him from the panel, at least temporarily, according to officials familiar with the deliberations. These officials said the vote was not unanimous, reflecting at least some disagreement about the case.
Ominously for Jefferson, the entire Democratic rank and file was summoned to an evening meeting to ratify the action.
"I'm planning to call an emergency meeting of the caucus to talk among ourselves and make some determination as to what we should do," said Rep. James Clyburn (news, bio, voting record) of South Carolina, the caucus chairman.
A vote by the full House would be required to force Jefferson to step aside.
The maneuvering capped a determined attempt by the Democratic leader, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record) of California, to ease Jefferson from his position. "I feel he should step aside," she told reporters but declined further comment.
Democrats intend to campaign against Republicans this fall by accusing them of presiding over a "culture of corruption." Jefferson's continued presence on the committee presumably would allow Republicans to blur the issue in the midterm elections.
While Jefferson has not been indicted, two men have been found guilty in the probe.
Brett Pfeffer, a former Jefferson aide, was sentenced to eight years in prison last month for conspiring to commit bribery and aiding and abetting the bribery of a public official.
Vernon Jackson, 53, chief executive of iGate Inc., a Louisville, Ky.-based telecommunications company, pleaded guilty May 3 to paying more than $400,000 in bribes to Jefferson.
Additionally, the FBI claims it videotaped the Louisianian last summer taking $100,000 in bribe money and that agents later found $90,000 of the money stashed in a freezer in his home.
FBI agents carried out a weekend search of Jefferson's congressional office last month, triggering an outpouring of criticism from congressional leaders claiming they had encroached on Congress' constitutional powers.
In response, Bush ordered the material taken be turned over the a Justice Department official not involved in the investigation.
Race was a further complication in the episode. Jefferson is black, and some Democrats say that black voters could be alienated if he is forced aside.
"The rule is you lose your leadership position or chairmanship" after indictment, said Rep. Bobby Scott (news, bio, voting record) of Virginia, who is also black.
Pelosi recently prevailed on Rep. Alan Mollohan (news, bio, voting record) of West Virginia, to step aside as senior member of the ethics committee after questions were raised about some of his legislative actions. But he remains a member of the Appropriations Committee, with broad authority over the expenditure of hundreds of billions of dollars a year.
Representative William Jefferson (D-LA) speaks during an inauguration ceremony for Mayor Ray Nagin in New Orleans, June 1, 2006. A group of House Democratic leaders on Thursday recommended that Jefferson, a Louisiana Democrat under investigation for alleged bribery, be removed from the House Ways and Means Committee. (Lee Celano/Reuters)
That's William Jefferson, Democrat, Louisiana.
Also known as the man who gave the culture of corruption freezer burn....
RACIST!
Back of the bus, under the bus. Life in the Democrat Party really hasn't changed much for the African-American, now has it?
Yup, looks like FReezer burn will claim another (House) body member.
Democratic Culture of Corruption
Why is it that they don't mention the subpoena which Jefferson ignored FOR NINE FREAKING MONTHS ???
Jefferson, at the center of an increasingly complicated legal and political controversy with racial overtones, insisted he would not go quietly. "I can guarantee" he will not voluntarily step aside, said Melanie Roussell, his spokeswoman
what racial overtones beside him being black and the money being green
So Republicans shouldn't vote to remove him until he's indicted: "rules is rules". LOL!
Let him stink up the Dems a while.
"Race was a further complication in the episode. Jefferson is black, and some Democrats say that black voters could be alienated if he is forced aside."
Attention all decent and honorable African Americans..the democrat party uses you only for it's votes. The door is open for you in the GOP. We would rather have your talents and brave character traits in the GOP and send our own milk toast RINO wimpies to the low-life Dems instead where they belong.
Notice that the race card HAS been played here...
And the way it was used, makes it sound like only black congresscritters can represent black people...
HMMMMMMMM
What....Black ice? I don't get it.
Why would you say that, lol.
". . . and some Democrats say that black voters could be alienated if he is forced aside."
Why would "they" be alienated if the man was committing a crime and got caught red-handed?
DFU SONG: Cold as Ice (yes, Democrat William Jefferson's hundreds are cold as ice)
DFU SONGS | 5-2006 | Lyrics, Doug from Upland
Posted on 05/22/2006 9:04:35 AM PDT by doug from upland
This bill's cold as ice...my boss says it won't suffice, no sir
This isn't very nice...he'll make me pay the price, no sir
I've not had a hundred that would ever snap
So Congressman Jefferson what is this crap
I bring pizza hot...right here to your door
I live off my tips...what are you doing this for?
This bill's cold as ice...my boss says it won't suffice, no sir
This isn't very nice...he'll make me pay the price, no sir
I don't understand dishonest Democrats
We search for corruption...that is where you're always at
One day a rich drunk drives off of a bridge
Now you hide your bribe money right there in your fridge
Cold as ice...it's freezing my hand
Cold as ice
This hundred is cold as ice
This hundred is cold as ice
This hundred is cod as ice
Let the law and courts take it's methodical, deliberate time to find the real truth.. maybe even if it takes until after the November elections. :)
You mean the Dems are going to leave Molahan(sp?) where he is even though his racket/scheme has netted him millions more?
Tsk, Tsk, LoL, LoL.
What will it take for congenital democrat African-American voters to take off their blinders??
Pelosi made a deal with the Cong. Black Caucus that she would not publicly criticize Jefferson or relieve him of his post on Ways and Means. In return, the CBC promised not to criticize Pelosi or other Democrats up for election this year.
Without Pelosi backing Jefferson's ouster from Ways and Means, it's just not going to happen. Indictment could change that, however.
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