The Are-You-Kidding Award for Cong. Conyers

Special to FreeRepublic ^ | 31 December 2006 | John Armor (Congressman Billybob)

[Congressman Billybob]

Late on Friday, the House Ethics Committee issued a statement that Rep. John Conyers had “accepted responsibility” for “possibly violating House Rules” by requiring his staff to work on campaigns and perform other, personal duties. The Committee, whose formal name is the House Committee on Standards and Official Conduct, concluded that Conyers should “take a number of additional, significant steps to ensure that his office complies with all rules and standards regarding campaign and personal work by congressional staff." They also said, "We have concluded that this matter should be resolved through the issuance of this public statement."

What do we have here?

At least three members of Conyers’ staff testified under oath that he required them to “babysit his children, perform personal errands, and to work on political campaigns (other than Conyers’).” Now, the first two items are obviously wrong use of the time of staffers who are paid taxpayer dollars to perform official duties. It looks like the newly-elected Treasurer of the State of New York may be forced to resign for misuse of public employees like that of Rep. Conyers.

But the third item is more serious. Under federal election law, it is a felony. Conyers could do hard time, if convicted of sending his staff to work in other people’s political campaigns. Based on the tap on the wrist from the House Ethics Committee, it’s clear as a bell that the sworn testimony of Conyers’ aides will never see the light of day in a federal courtroom.

Let’s talk about the House Ethics Committee. Ethics and Intelligence are the two Committees in the House which have equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans, regardless of the number of each party elected to the House. These two Committees have equally-ranked Co-Chairmen, one of each party. The idea is that this structure will cause them to act in a bipartisan manner.

In the case of House Ethics, that goal has been achieved, but not the way that those seeking integrity in public office had in mind. As I have written before, Republicans and Democrats on the Ethics Committee reach a mutually-assured non-destruction pact. It is: “We’ll go easy on your crooks, if you go easy on ours.”

In fact, the slap on the wrist for John Conyers is proof that House Ethics found the charges against him to be serious and well-established. I say that because normally the Committee reacts to potentially criminal charges against a Congressman, by hiding under a rock. Witness Rep. William Jefferson, (D, La.), arrested after being videotaped accepting a bribe, and $90,000 of the bribe was found wrapped in tin foil in his home freezer.

Hardly any offence by a member of the House more deserves immediate expulsion than taking a bribe. What has House Ethics done about Rep. Jefferson? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. The Committee ducked its duties to the House by waiting for the long-term criminal justice process to do the job. In the meantime, a crook remains a Member of Congress.

At least, Rep. Jefferson has been backed off of some of his more sensitive Committee assignments. Rep. Conyers has been assured that he will assume the Chairmanship of the House Judiciary Committee. That’s right. A Member of Congress who did not contradict sworn testimony that he committed multiple felonies, will be Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Hence my conclusion that Rep. Conyers should receive the Are-You-Kidding Award.

How did this happen? Well, good ol’ John has three Get Out of Jail Free cards. The first is, he’s a political ally of the new Speaker, Nancy Pelosi. It should be clear by now to everyone that Pelosi’s concern about public corruption melts away when the target is a Democrat.

Conyers’ other Get Out of Jail Free Cards are that he is a Democrat and a black man. Put those together and the mere fact that he committed a few felonies is no barrier to his remaining in the House, and “serving” as Chairman of House Judiciary.

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About the Author: John Armor is a lawyer specializing in constitutional law, who may again be a candidate for Congress in the 11th District of North Carolina. John_Armor@aya.yale.edu

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[Congressman Billybob]

I think y'all will find this interesting,

John / Billybob

[hnj_00]

this is the lib/dem a-hole that wants to conduct impeachment hearings on Bush!!!!

where is piglosi screaming about her ethical & honest congress????

[Bigh4u2]

Interesting isn't the word I'd use.

Disgusting is more like it.

But, it's also 'par for the course' when it comes to liberals.

[King Moonracer]

by requiring his staff to work on campaigns and perform other, personal duties.

Once you set foot on the Conyer's plantation, yo bess set yo mind to workin'

[utahagen]

This story about Conyers was given a tiny article on page 18 of today's NYTimes.

[tophat9000]

But... But...But... he a Democrat ... he can't be unethical... only Republican's can be unethical.... don't you read the papers?

[Tarpon]

Substitute Delay for Conyers and notify the New York Times

[HawaiianGecko]

ping - Conyers

[FlingWingFlyer]

Most Commie 'RATS and their toadies in the liberal "media" would say that little Johnny's decision to take "responsibility" for violating House rules is being "brave" and "courageous."

Just more of the same old double standard BS from the DemocRATS.

[GBA]

Clearly, his being both black and a demonrat means that NOTHING will happen to him. I'm actually surprised he got a slap on the wrist. I can't think of anything Conyers could do and get caught for where he would actually experience any real consequences.

[mass55th]

More than likely there's more here than Mr. Conyers wants anyone to know about. He probably figures that if he steps forward and "claims" to take the blame for certain ethics violations, that it will stop a more serious scandal from being outed. Dazzle them with bull$hit, smoke and mirrors. And unfortunately, it will probably work.

[RushLake]

Thank you for posting this. As you know, Conyers is an africanhyphenamerican democrap from Detroit who is popular with the jihad community in Dearbornistan, Michigan. This means that he will get a pass for any possible prosecution.

Conyers has introduced a bill in every congress in which he has served to pay reparations to africanhyphenamericans for slavery. Such reparations, I suppose, would be paid to the Muslim Keith Ellison whose brothers in Islam sold africans into slavery and also to that great africanhyphenamerican barracks hussein osama obama. Conyers is also a great champion of more and more tax dollars for the worthless Detroit Public Schools although his children go to the exclusive and expensive Detroit Country Day private school.

[GoldCountryRedneck]

where is piglosi screaming about her ethical & honest congress????

Go back to the Klintoons campaign of '92. Recall they, too, touted their pledge of an 'ethical congress'???

When 'Her Stretchness' trotted out the same rhetoric I just knew that pond scum would rule.

I think the shrinks call it "Projection"...

A poker player would call it "telegraphing your moves".

[HawaiianGecko]

The following is the text of the House ethics committee statement regarding Conyers:

December 29, 2006
Statement of Chairman Doc Hastings and Ranking Minority Member Howard L. Berman Regarding Representative John Conyers

The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a), initiated an informal inquiry in December 2003 into reports that members of the congressional staff of Representative John Conyers had performed campaign activity on official time and in some instances using official resources, and that some staff members may have been compelled to do campaign work or personal work for Representative Conyers. The assertions in the reports, if true, could implicate a number of laws and House rules applicable to Members, including: House Rule 23, clause 1 (requiring the conduct of a Member or employee to reflect creditably on the House of representatives); House Rule 23, clause 8 (requiring that congressional staff perform official duties commensurate with compensation); 31 U.S.C. § 1301(a) and corresponding regulations of the Committee on House Administration (providing that official funds may be used only for the purposes appropriated); and 18 U.S.C § 606 (prohibiting adverse personnel action or intimidation to secure a "contribution of money or other valuable thing" including services, for a political purpose). Committee Rule 18(a) permits the Committee, in the absence of a filed complaint, to consider "any information in its possession indicating that a Member, officer, or employee may have committed a violation of the Code of Official Conduct or any law, rule, regulation, or other standard of conduct . . ." The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member may jointly gather additional information concerning such a potential violation unless and until an investigative subcommittee is established.  During the course of their inquiry, the Chairman and Ranking Member asked for and received information, including documents, from several sources, including Representative Conyers. Committee staff also interviewed witnesses regarding the allegations.  In the course of providing information to the Committee, Representative Conyers acknowledged what he characterized as a "lack of clarity" in his communications with staff members regarding their official duties and responsibilities, and accepted responsibility for his actions. Representative Conyers also provided the Committee with documents indicating that he had begun taking steps to provide  clearer guidance to staff regarding the requirement that campaign work and official work be separate.  After reviewing the information gathered during the inquiry, and in light of Representative Conyers’ cooperation with the inquiry, we have concluded that this matter should be resolved through the issuance of this public statement and the agreement by Representative Conyers to take a number of additional, significant steps to ensure that his office complies with all rules and standards regarding campaign and personal work by congressional staff. Representative Conyers has agreed to the following conditions:

1. Prohibiting his personal congressional staff (other than his Chief of Staff) from performing any campaign-related work, including work done on a voluntary basis, during the 110th Congress, unless the staff member takes a paid position on his campaign while on leave without pay status and obtains prior written approval from the Committee.

2. Informing staff members in writing of the prohibition set forth above against the voluntary performance of campaign work.

3. Distributing a memorandum to each member of his personal congressional staff which clearly sets forth all House rules concerning (1) the performance of campaign and other non-official work by congressional staff members and (2) the prohibition against the performance of any campaign-related work being conducted in either his congressional or district offices. Additionally, this memorandum will explicitly state that the performance of campaign or other non-official work by staff members may not be required as a condition of their employment.

4. Directing that meetings of his personal congressional staff be held annually in which the House rules concerning staff participation in campaign activities are discussed and explained. In addition, a description of these rules will be made a part of the orientation for all new staff employees.

5. Continuing to maintain the detailed time-keeping system initiated by Rep. Conyers during the course of the Committee’s inquiry.

6. Requiring that all members of his congressionalstaff attend a briefing conducted by Committee counsel on the application of, and compliance with, applicable House rules concerning the performance of campaign and other non-official work by congressional staff members.

Provided that the above requirements are complied with, this matter will remain closed, and the Committee will take no further action on it.

 

[NormsRevenge]

We have a House Ethics (is for Republicans Only) Committee?

That's news to me. ;-]

HaPPy New Year to you and your'n, CB. :-)

[Condor51]

What I find interesting is that the things that Conyers admits and "accepted responsibility for", pols in IL and Chicago have been sent to Federal Prison for doing the exact same thing - and by Patrick Fitzgerald no less. IL's ex gov George Ryan (Felon, RINO) and his cronies being prime example.

So... where's the Feds? What's AG Gonzo gonna do to Conyers???

((((( crickets )))))

[HawaiianGecko]

Paper's in Michigan are using the AP story below to report this announcement:

The story makes it sound like he simply forgot to brush his teeth before leaving home.

Conyers to clarify ethics rules with staff

12/30/2006, 5:50 p.m. ET The Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) — The House ethics committee has closed its investigation of U.S. Rep. John Conyers, who has agreed to clarify work rules with his staff to ensure his office is in compliance with ethics regulations.

Three former aides to the Detroit Democrat in March said the veteran lawmaker used them as baby sitters and personal servants while they were supposed to be working in his Michigan offices. The aides also said Conyers had them pay restaurant and motel bills.

Conyers has served in the House since 1965 and is senior minority member of the House Judiciary Committee. He takes over as chair when the Democrats regain control of Congress next week.

The committee launched an informal inquiry into the matter in December 2003.

 

After reviewing information gathered during the inquiry, the committee concluded — without commenting on whether there was any wrongdoing — that it would best for Conyers to resolve the matter by taking steps to make sure his office complies with rules and standards regarding campaign and personal work, The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press reported Saturday.

"Mr. Conyers is pleased to cooperate fully with the committee to resolve this matter," according to a statement released by Conyers' office. "He agrees that he could have been more explicit with staff and agrees to do so in the future."

Conyers agreed to prohibit his congressional staff from performing any paid or voluntary campaign work during congressional sessions, unless the staff member takes a paid position on his campaign while on leave without pay from the office and obtains prior written approval from the ethics committee.

He also agreed to have an annual meeting with staff to go over the rules regarding work responsibilities and hours; and require all staffers to attend a briefing with ethics committee lawyers to explain rules regarding congressional and campaign work.

 

 

[NormsRevenge]

Maybe it's just a DHimmi version of 'Sharia' law that the 'Rats are using to explain away and ignore their own little oopses while nailing anyone and everyone else to the cross.

[Lancey Howard]

As I have written before, Republicans and Democrats on the Ethics Committee reach a mutually-assured non-destruction pact. It is: “We’ll go easy on your crooks, if you go easy on ours.”

BUMP that.
The problem is that this corruption extends way beyond the House "Ethics" Committee. It is pervasive throughout the scumbag "political class". Every time I think about the Sandy Berger plea I am reminded that Bush's Justice Department is just as corrupt as Clinton's was. I wonder what the quid pro quo might have been?

[penowa]

"So... where's the Feds? What's AG Gonzo gonna do to Conyers???"

You didn't really think that anything would happen to Conyers, Jefferson, Mollohan, Murtha, etc., did you? When Denny Hastert wanted to prevent the FBI search of Jefferson's office, that should tell you all you need to know. Obviously, Gonzales got the message even if you didn't.

Republican office holders will turn on their crooks ONCE EXPOSED, because they know that their voters will toss them and the crook if they don't. The Democrats will re-elect with gusto their crooks, so obviously it is much better for Republican elected officials to try to cover for the Democrats and appease them and make deals where possible, so that the Republican crooks don't all get exposed. No sense in upsetting all those Republican voters and having them stay home or vote against you.

[centurion316]

House Ethics = Oxymoron

The House will protect its own, no matter the party. The difference is that Republican voters will not brook such behavior by its politicians and will punish them at the ballot box. Democrats, of course, expect their politicians to be crooked and consider such behavior noteworthy.

[stylin19a]

I can see a new guy getting this, not Conyers.
He's been there since 1964.

[sgtbono2002]

We wouldnt want to tick off the Congressional black caucus would we??

The ethics committee is a joke.

Just a pack of crooks watching out for the rest of the crooks. Whitewash is their biggest job.

[kjo]

Yeah. This AM on NPR they ran a story insert about how Repblican misdeeds led to the Dems retaking Congress.

Not a word about Jefferson, Conyers, Reid's seven hundred thousand dollar profit on land he did not officially own.

Funny, ain't it how NPR, and most of the MSM only sees GOP misdeeds.

[NonValueAdded]

I thought it was a Federal crime which made his admission of responsibility puzzling. My mistake, I did not factor in the equivocation. Well, GWB's AG will press the matter /hysterical_laughter

[Pontiac]

The House will protect its own, no matter the party.

Oh really. How soon you forget what happened to Newt Gingerich.

The difference is that the Dims will defend their members (with the help of the MSM) to the death.

The Pubbies will leave their members to swing in the wind (because they think as soon as the MSM smell the blood in water it is a lost cause).

[centurion316]

You are making my point. The only reason Newt was pulled down from his perch was that his constituents refused to underwrite his behavior. If the Republican electorate supported such behavior, then you can bet that Republican politicians would act just like Democrats.

[upchuck]

President Ford - dead

Saddam Hussein - hung

New Years - celebrated

Yep, great time to release this info.

[oldironsides]

Recently we watched New York State Comptroller Allan Hevasi ( sp) plead guilty to using staff to perform tasks for his wife etc. Elliot Spitzer wasted no time in going after the corrupt man for using staff and taxpayers money. Maybe Conyers needs a lawsuit by taxpayers to consider? Maybe someone will sue the corrupt nitwit? Conyers should leave congress. He misused taxpayer funds

[Txsleuth]

So...who do we blame???

Conyers, Pelosi???

We have to blame Doc Hastings and Boehner...how they can let the Dems run roughshod over them to let this happen is disgusting....

I was being sarcastic to a point...of course we blame Conyers...he is a corrupt human being..but HE will never have to suffer any consequences..

But, I can guarantee you....the Pres. Bush, Cheney, and Rummy will suffer consequences for him keeping his leadership post..

So it goes in our government these days...and we just sit back and watch it happen.

[Txsleuth]

PING!!!!

[Chode]

and the RATS, take another one in the...............HA ha!!!

[Christian4Bush]

bttt

[oldbrowser]

Late on Friday, the House Ethics Committee issued a statement that Rep. John Conyers had “accepted responsibility” for “possibly violating House Rules” by requiring his staff to work on campaigns and perform other, personal duties.

So by accepting responsibility does that mean he is resigning his office before criminal charges are filed?

[Pontiac]

The only reason Newt was pulled down from his perch was that his constituents refused to underwrite his behavior.

Maybe I wasn’t paying attention but I don’t recall any great outcry from Georgia demanding Newt resign.

The national MSM is the only place besides the Dimocrats in the House and Senate is the only place I recall any outcry for Newt to resign.

[Wheee The People]

NYTimes, WaPost, LATimes, NPR, etc don't care.

[Congressman Billybob]

Ah, you missed the operative word in this whitewash of Conyers. He admitted to "possibly" having violated the House Rules. He doesn't admit that he DID violate them. And the Ethics Committee makes NO factual findings, despite having sworn testimony from several of Conyers' staff members.

John / Billybob

[Bahbah]

Want to avoid responsibility...change your voter registration.

[Robert A. Cook, PE]

Another example, sadly, of the repubbie's cupidity, stupidity, and illegality.

Why add illegality? (Since almost NO repubbie is ACTUALLY guilty of crimes in the Capitol?) Because the republicans who are guilty get powerwashed and set out to dry for weeks and months in the MSM, while the democrats are repeatedly are guilty are whitewashed and polished and preserved, then put in the closet where the sun's light won't shine.

Why?

Because of garbage like this. The repubbie's bring pop guns and tissue paper to a combat zone where the democrats are iron-clad and armed with weapons a SWAT team would envy.

[Robert A. Cook, PE]

Every one HERE (in NEWT's actual district!) was saddenly and pissed that he resigned.

No one here was calling for his removal/resignation. Other than the Atlanta AlJahearza Constipation newpaper

[Txsleuth]

Why haven't we heard from Boehner??

I think that we need to have OUR guys be on TV complaining everytime a Dem gets away with corruption..and NO penalty for their corruption.

My goodness, La Pelosi and Reid ran their campaigns on cleaning up the corruption and ethics in Washington...but, no one on OUR side gets up and complains about THEIRS!

[Bahbah]

I think that we need to have OUR guys be on TV complaining everytime a Dem gets away with corruption..

I think the shows set up what they want to talk about, and it is NOT going to include anything damaging to dems.

[Txsleuth]

In my mind, I know you are right...but, all this does is give the power of who makes the decisions in the country to the MEDIA....

And, just like that frightening admission by Nina Easton on Brit's show that it doesn't matter that the media is only portraying Iraq one way...that they SHAPE America's opinion of if we are winning or losing....

WE have got to do something about it...because I don't care who the Dems choose to run in 2008...the MSM will not care if they lie, just so long as the Dem wins.

[Pontiac]

Every one HERE (in NEWT's actual district!) was saddenly and pissed that he resigned.

And as I recall at the time Newt’s “improprieties” were in question as to whether his use of his PAC funds were illegal or not. (He was consequently cleared of any crime)

There does not seem to be any question of whether Conyers’ actions are illegal.

[centurion316]

I misspoke. I did not mean his literal constituency, but rather his larger Republican constituency in his role as Speaker. While the press was certainly fueling the flames, Republican voters are not very tolerant of impropriety. Newt was not the only victim of this attitude, Mr. Livingston learned this as well.

I had forgotten Newt's PAC troubles, which was a hatchet job, but I have not forgotten his adultery; and that's what cost him his job as Speaker. I'm sure that he could have remained as a backbencher had he desired.

[OldFriend]

Any mention of OsamaObama's shady land deal?

Oh, how silly of me!

[Pontiac]

I have not forgotten his adultery; and that's what cost him his job as Speaker.

I do believe you are wrong about that.

I believe that Newt stepped down as speaker (and declined to take his seat) after the Dims targeted him in the 98 elections and the Republicans lost 5 house seats instead of gaining seats as is usual when the opposing party holds the White House.

[centurion316]

I stand corrected

[PA-RIVER]

Alan Hevesi, NY state comptroller plead guilty last month to similar charges ... the plea ... defrauding the government, based on his personal use of state employees.

He will go to jail for a little while.

So Conyers uses federal employees to baby sit his children and run errands, just as Hevesi did.

He, Conyers, will get a promotion to Chairmanship where he can do more damage.

This congress is starting to stink and it has even taken control yet.

Anyone who has to testify before his committee should ask him, directly, if he likes spending our tax dollars on his personal affairs, and refuse to answer any questions until Conyers resigns.

[PA-RIVER]

Anyone disturbed by this story should now be taking action.

Send email to ABC, NBC, CBS ... , tell them you have a hot tip, that a federal lawbreaker is about to retain a chairmanship of the Judicial committee.