Corruption in Congress

CORRUPTION IN CONGRESS -- (House of Representatives - December 07, 2005)

(Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is astonishing how badly this administration and the Republican Congress has veered off course. Bribery. Perjury. Allegations of insider trading and money laundering. The majority leaders in both Chambers of the Congress, one under indictment, the other being investigated by the SEC.

The American people understand full well the consequences of this culture of corruption. They saw it in New Orleans. The administration's incompetence was more devastating than the storm itself. They see a President all too willing to cover up waste and profiteering here and abroad where, again, incompetence has contributed to the loss of American lives, more than 2,000 and climbing.

More than 15,000 wounded, many of whom would go back and fight again for their country if only they could. We have defense contractors bribing Members of this institution. No wonder we are so ill-prepared for another terrorist attack.

This week, the chairman of the September 11 Commission gave this government's response, since that terrible day, five Fs and 12 Ds. The facts more than speak for themselves. Democrats believe that the time has come to restore the values of responsibility and integrity to our way that our government does business.

Mr. Speaker, it starts with putting the needs of families before special interests of the lobbyists. It starts here in this building, and it starts with new leadership.

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