As our blog has been reporting, the GOP has unfortunately put reforming ethics in Washington on the backburner.However, that is no surprise after the election of John Boehner as the new Republican House Majority Leader.
Only a few days after his election, Boehner made it clear he was against ethics reform.
And with a closer look at his record, one can see why he is against any type of ethical reform:
"In the race to replace Tom DeLay, Ohio representative John Boehner is casting himself as a "reformer." A closer look reveals nothing is further from the truth. Boehner's close relationship with K Street lobbyists, his blanket support of the Bush Administration and his ties to ethically questionable individuals have members of his own party fearing Boehner will be no different than Tom DeLay.
HIGHLIGHTS
Boehner a Prolific Fundraiser with Close Ties to Lobbyists. Boehner's political action committee, the Freedom Project, has distributed millions to conservative candidates and Boehner is well-known for his exclusive fundraisers. Once, Boehner distributed PAC checks on the House floor. He is known for having a "K Street Cabinet" and for leading the pack in special-interest funded trips. This year, a review showed that Boehner failed to properly disclose a privately-funded trip to Scotland.
Boehner "Sold Out" Higher Education to Special Interests. As the chairman of the House education committee, Boehner sided with loan-industry officials and backed legislation they supported. Boehner took $250,000 from lenders during the 2004 election cycle and assured student loan officials "I have all of you in my two trusted hands." Companies that make student loans have provided jets for Boehner and Boehner has been criticized for his close ties to Sallie Mae, the Virginia-based student loan company.
Boehner Does Not Stand for Real Ethics Reform. Boehner voted to weaken the ethics rules to protect Tom DeLay and recently said that "adding more rules" is not the real answer to ethics reform. Republican insiders recently said that if Boehner became majority leader, it would leave their party open to charges that they remain steeped in a "culture of corruption" in Washington.
Boehner Is a Rubber Stamp for the Failed Priorities of the Bush Administration. In 2005, Boehner supported President Bush 96 percent of the time; in 2004, he supported him 100 percent of the time. As the Chairman of the House education committee, Boehner shepherded Bush's failed "No Child Left Behind" initiative through Congress.
Boehner Tied to Ethically Questionable Individuals. Boehner developed ties to ethically questionable individuals over the course of his congressional career. He received $32,500 - more money than Tom DeLay - from Jack Abramoff's tribal clients. He also received donations from David Safavian and Neil Volz, aides connected to the Abramoff scandal. Boehner donated $20,000 to fellow Ohio representative Bob Ney, who is under investigation for his relationship with Abramoff and once endorsed Ohio Governor Bob Taft, who was criminally convicted after failing to report gifts he received from lobbyists and contractors.
BOEHNER A PROLIFIC FUNDRAISER WITH CLOSE TIES TO LOBBYISTS
Boehner Regarded As an "Expert Fundraiser" With One of the Highest-Funded Leadership PACs. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Boehner "is regarded as an expert fund raiser." According to campaign finance records, Boehner's political action committee, the Freedom Project, gave $3,069,464 to candidates, PACs and Committees since 1996. [www.tray.com; The Chronicle of Higher Education, 7/30/04] Boehner Distributed Checks from Tobacco PACs to Members on the House Floor. In 1995, after riding to power on ethics in government issues, Boehner distributed about 6 checks from tobacco PACs to members on the House floor. This was legal at the time, but it was frowned upon by Democrats and Republicans alike. When asked why he did it, a Boehner staffer responded simply, "The floor is where the members meet with each other." [New York Times, 5/10/96]
Boehner Hosts Famous Party at the Republican National Convention. In 2004, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported, "One of the most famous parties at the [Republican National Convention] is simply known as the 'Boehner party,' thrown every night until the wee hours. It's in John Boehner's honor - every event here honors some politician - and is organized by lobbyists. Boehner, a tan, chain-smoking West Chester Republican who chairs the House Education and Workforce Committee, is known in Washington for his frequent golf fund-raisers and parties, including the annual Boehner Beach Party. Common Cause, a government watchdog group, called the conventions the 'political Olympics.' The competition, the group said, 'is among special interests to see who can curry the most favor by giving the most money, and who can throw the biggest, most lavish parties honoring lawmakers.'. By most accounts, the Boehner party was among the tops in town. 'That was probably the wildest party,' said Ohio state Rep. Gary Cates of West Chester. 'That's probably the toughest ticket in town.'" [Cincinnati Enquirer, 9/6/04]
Propriety of Boehner's GOP "Charity" Fundraiser Questioned. According to a Frontrunner article entitled "Propriety of GOP Charity Fundraisers Questioned," an ABC World News Tonight report on the presidential convention "money trail" described members' use of charities to "raise unlimited money from undisclosed sources." The report said, "All week long, the Republicans made great use of the new charity concept to pay for parties. There was one party for a charity described by Congressman John Boehner as teaching young people important values through golf. Boehner: You have to learn to be honest about your score." The report concluded, "The Republicans says millions of dollars was raised for important charity causes this week, but right now, only they and their wealthy friends really know just how much, from whom, and for what real purpose." Boehner is involved with a charity called "First Tee," which is charity group teaching children about golf and positive values. At the 2004 Republican National Convention, the National Federation of Independent Businesses sponsored an event for First Tee on behalf of Boehner. [The Frontrunner, 9/3/04; Columbus Dispatch, 8/30/04; Gannet News Service, 8/23/04]
Boehner Has "K Street Cabinet." According to The Hill, Boehner "has assembled a loyal and effective network of lobbyists. Boehner formed his alliances on K Street when he served as chairman of the GOP conference from 1995 to 1998, when his portfolio included working with lobbyists on K Street. . Many GOP sources say Boehner would receive strong support from his so-called K Street Cabinet if he decides to run for another leadership post." [The Hill, 10/6/05]
Boehner "Criticized for His Ties to Lobbyists." In 2006, the Dayton Daily News reported, "Boehner has been criticized for his ties to lobbyists." [Dayton Daily News, 1/9/06]
Former Boehner Aides Work in House Leadership, in the White House, on K Street. In 2005, Roll Call reported, "In addition to the Members he has met through his policy work and fundraising, Boehner also has former aides in key positions, including Brian Gaston and Sam Geduldig in Blunt's office. Off the Hill, former Boehner staffers hold posts in the White House and on K Street, where the Ohio lawmaker has numerous fans." [Roll Call, 4/7/05]
Boehner "Led the Pack" in Special Interest Trips. According to the Dayton Daily News, "Among the local delegation, Rep. John Boehner, R-West Chester, led the pack [in special interest funded travel], racking up $126,537 worth of trips to destinations including Edinburgh, Paris and Barcelona, as well as to White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., and Scottsdale, Ariz. The database did not include a trip about a month ago to Boca Raton, paid for by the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. On that trip, Boehner, chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, served on a congressional panel for a program during the Futures Industry Association's annual conference. Nor did it include a late November 2004 trip from Munich, Germany to Brussels, Belgium, where Boehner spoke at the Transatlantic Policy Network's conference. Boehner's trips often have a common theme: The congressman giving a speech. He has spoken before organizations including CSX Corp., Sallie Mae and the Cigar Association, which sent him to Hot Springs, Va., in October 2003. According to Political Money-Line, Boehner ranked 17th among representatives and senators in terms of travel cost." [Dayton Daily News, 4/28/05]
Boehner Filed Special-Interest Trips Late. According to the AP, "At least 43 House members and dozens of aides failed to publicly report travel financed by special interests until Majority Leader Tom DeLay's trips were scrutinized, an Associated Press review shows. Despite a rule requiring public disclosure within 30 days after a trip's conclusion, the AP found at least 198 recently filed travel reports that were as much as eight years late. Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he discovered 'my staff had failed to submit a travel disclosure' for a trip to Scotland in August 2004, an error made 'during a staff transition.'" The trip was paid for by the Transatlantic Policy Network in Kinclaven Scotland. Rep. Mike Oxley was also on the Scotland trip. In addition, Boehner did not file a Sallie Mae-sponsored trip on time. The 2003 trip was to West Palm Beach for the Board of Directors' Annual Conference. Boehner submitted a letter acknowledging the delay in filing. [AP, 5/31/05; www.tray.com; House Legislative Resource Center]
Boehner Arranged for A Lobbyist to "Educate" Him and His Wife in Barcelona And Seville. In 2004, USA Today reported on ways members can take advantage of House ethics rules. As an example, the paper cited an educational trip taken by Reps Boehner, Burr and their spouses. According to USA Today, "On their face, the ethics rules would seem to bar any self-dealing or profit-taking by members. In reality, they actually legalize conduct that would be viewed as grossly unethical or corrupt in the other government branches. . the following are four easy lessons on how to earn millions on a government salary. You can never have too much 'education.' While ethics rules prohibit gifts and speaking fees, members routinely accept thousands of dollars in expenses and travel from lobbyists and business associations. These paid vacations are billed as 'educational' for members of Congress, and they are clearly eager to learn. For example. Burr and Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, arranged for a lobbyist to 'educate' them and their spouses in Barcelona and Seville." [USA Today, 12/28/04]"
It is time the clean up Washington!
John Boehner have proven they are unwilling and unable to do so!
Congress should follow Congressman Ford's footsteps and get serious about ethics reform today!
Read about John Boehner's views opposing ethics reform here!
Read about John Boehner's broken promises regarding ethics reform here!
Read about Congressman Ford's actions on ethics reform here! (1 , 2, 3)
