Sen. Reid calls US Congress 'most corrupt
in history'
Yahoo News/Reuters
By Thomas Ferraro
December 18, 2005
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid called the
Republican-led Congress "the most corrupt in history" on Sunday, and distanced
himself from lobbyist Jack Abramoff, at the center of an escalating probe.
The Justice Department is investigating whether Jack Abramoff directed
illegal payoffs to lawmakers, including Rep. Tom DeLay of Texas, who was forced
to step down as House Republican leader in September after indicted in his home
state of Texas on unrelated charges.
"Don't lump me in with Jack Abramoff. This is a Republican scandal," Reid
told Fox News Sunday, saying he never received any money from Abramoff.
Reid, like many members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, has received
campaign contributions from Abramoff clients. Some lawmakers have returned
those donations, but Reid gave no indication he would do so.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has been examining stock sales by
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, and last month Randy
"Duke" Cunningham, a California Republican, resigned from the House after
pleading guilty of taking more than $2.4 million in bribes involving defense
contracts.
Democrats have accused Republicans of "a culture of corruption," and plan to
make it an issue in next year's congressional elections.
"America can do better than what we've done," said Reid. "The most corrupt
Congress in the history of the country. We have such significant problems with
what's going on in this country."
Most of the federal investigative focus is now on Abramoff, whose lobbying
activities, particularly on behalf of Indian tribal clients, are also being
examined by Congress.
Appearing on Fox TV, Reid said, "Abramoff gave me no money. His firm gave me
no money. He may have worked (at) a firm where people have given me money."
A Reid aide later explained that the senator received money from a political
action committee affiliated with a firm where Abramoff had worked, but Abramoff
did not contribute to it.
"I feel totally at ease that I haven't done anything that is even close to
being wrong," Reid said.
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