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Cleaning up the Hill — again
Tweet Share on Facebook January 20, 2006 CommentEvery decade or so, Congress seems to need to self-correct. Last time around, it was the House banking and post office scandals. This time, it's the Jack Abramoff congressional bribery scandal. When you compare the two, the notion of some members stealing stamps from the House post office almost seems quaint; the Abramoff scandal involves millions of dollars spread around Washington–and it's a total embarrassment for anyone who serves in Congress.
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Who'll be the parents after House GOP's family crisis?
Tweet Share on Facebook January 10, 2006 CommentIt's of more than passing interest to note that House Speaker Dennis Hastert decided to cancel a trip to India (dare we say a "fact finding" excursion?) to come back to Washington. Why did he return, especially since Congress is not in session? For two reasons: First, he decided he had to put the leadership stamp of approval on a GOP lobbying reform effort. Second, he had to make sure his job as speaker was not in jeopardy.
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Seizing reform after the sleaze
Tweet Share on Facebook January 6, 2006 CommentIn the wake of the Jack Abramoff plea agreement earlier this week, members stampeded to return his direct contributions–and even some supplied by his Indian tribe clients–as if that were a way to completely distance themselves from the sleaze. It was a great week for charitable giving, with House Speaker Dennis Hastert donating $69,000 to charities and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLaygiving away $15,000. And Democrats weren't immune to the guilt-by-association problem, either, withByron Dorgangiving away $67,000 and Max Baucus $18,800.
Gloria Borger, a contributing editor at U.S.News & World Report, writes the magazine's On Politics column. Borger is also the national political correspondent for CBS and a regular panelist on the PBS public affairs program, Washington Week in Review. Borger is a 1974 graduate of Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., and is now a member of the university's board of trustees.