Pelosi to be called before house ethics committee

Rep Jack Kingston

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi recently demanded that Speaker Hastert and other top Republican Members appear for questioning under oath by the Ethics Committee (Pelosi Wants GOP Leaders Testimony, Roll Call, October 3, 2006) regarding the management of the scandal surrounding former Congressman Mark Foley.

We fully agree that anyone with knowledge of Mr. Foley's activities, who then attempted to conceal such activities, should be held accountable. Today, the bipartisan Ethics Committee announced that they will be conducting a complete investigation of the facts surrounding the case.

We support this decision and also believe that the seriousness of this goes beyond partisan politics and hope that you will join us in demonstrating full cooperation from your Members and political operatives as this investigation continues to unfold.

Just as it must be determined whether any Republican Members or political operatives were aware of and attempted to conceal Mr. Foley's activities, it must also be determined whether any Democrat Members or political operatives were aware of, and attempted to conceal these same activities.

Therefore, we respectfully ask that you appear, under oath, before the House Ethics Committee.

It is in the best interest of this great institution as well as the American people that this matter is cleared up quickly and every Member, regardless of party, should do all within their power to see to that.