Tag-Archive for » congress «
It seems that the chairman and CEO of OneUnited, the bank at the center of the ethics investigation against Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), has a troubled past himself, reports the Washington Post.
Not only has Kevin L. Cohee reportedly been arrested twice on sexual-assault and drug charges-although he has denied the arrests-the federal government also issued a “cease and desist” order to the bank due to his supposed living allowance that allowed him to live in a mansion.
Cohee’s bank purchased or leased luxury real estate for him-including an $880,000 condominium in Miami and a $26,250-a-month mansion in Santa Monica owned by Bruce Springsteen’s drummer-and reportedly paid for his Porsche.
Cohee promoted the bank as a responsible investor in minority communities, which Waters then helped promote in her district. Waters has described herself as a “professional and social” friend of Cohee.
House investigators today officially accused veteran New York Rep. Charles Rangel of 13 violations of congressional ethics standards, throwing a cloud over his political career and putting Democrats in a pickle throughout fall elections.
The allegations – which include failure to report rental income from vacation property in the Dominican Republic and to report more than $600,000 in assets on his congressional financial disclosure statements – came as lawyers for Rangel and the House ethics committee worked on a plea deal.
One was reached, sources tell the Associated Press, but Republicans indicated it was too late.
The deal between the lawyers will have little meaning if the committee members don’t approve it, and Republicans said at the proceeding they were insisting on going forward with a trial. The panel is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans.
“Mr. Rangel was given multiple opportunities to settle this matter. Instead, he chose to move forward to the public trial phase,” said Rep. Jo Bonner of Alabama, the senior Republican on the ethics panel
Many Democrats had urged Rangel to settle the case to avoid the prospect of televised hearings right before November congressional elections that will determine which party controls Congress next year.
However, as Friday’s public airing of the charges drew nearer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi seem resigned to the case proceeding.
“The chips will have to fall where they may politically,” she told reporters. Pursuing ethics cases against House members is “a serious responsibility that we have,” she said.
I don’t know if you are aware of this website, but it is awesome. You can look up everything you ever want to know about every politician and congress person before you vote for them or for whatever reason. You’ll find biography, history of entire voting record, stance on current and previous issues, etc, etc, etc.
(sorry, you will probably have to type it in…but it’s worth it)
http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm
Only 12 members of Congress voted to approve health benefits for “1st Responders” to 911 Twin Towers.
Yes the Democrats overwhelmingly passed it. It has been years since 911 and the folks that involved
their lives to save whomever are now greatly disturbed with health concerns – OK who knew. What the
outcome effects would be. These folks Fire Dept, Police Dept, Medics put there lives on the line to help.
And this is how Congress rewards them for a job well done to the best of their ability – well damn Congress.
And you wonder why – folks are voting for anybody other than the incumbent to stand for there City,
or State reps. How dare you put these folks on the back burner. Do you have no shame or guilt what you
are doing to these folks. Understandably the economics in this country are steep, why do you think that
President Obama wanted the Health Care Reform bill past. Not just for future clients, but present ones in
need as well. Congress when are you going to get off your azz and stop throwing a rock and then hiding
your hand. You took your offices with a “vow” to pledge and help your constituents of your state and
others. Do not turn a blind eye to the needs of Americans, families are involved here and future generations.
Have you thought about what your legacy would be when you depart your office? Was it to help or hinder
the causes of citizens of the USA? Or is it money talks and bullshyt walks Congressmen Republicans.