For Immediate Release Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 CONTACT: Jim Manley / Rebecca Kirszner, 202-224-2939 REID: REPUBLICANS CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO END THE CULTURE OF CORRUPTION Washington, DC - While Republicans try to provide cover from their culture of corruption, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid released the following report and statement on Republicans' abuse of power: "The idea of Republicans reforming themselves is like asking John Gotti to clean up organized crime. I thought I'd seen the last of corruption when I helped clean up Las Vegas thirty years ago. But, while its not quite the mafia of Las Vegas in the 1970s, what is happening today in Washington is every bit as corrupt and the consequences for our country have been just as severe. "Some problems have no legislative fix, and the Republican culture of corruption is one of them. Today's announcements by House and Senate Republicans should be taken at face value - minor wrist slapping and good public relation stunts by the same people responsible for this mess. Democrats will lead the tough reforms, because we owe it to the American people to stand up for their interests over special interests. Are we really going to believe that Republicans will stop answering the calls from their friends on K Street? Are they really going to put seniors ahead of drug companies when it comes reforming Medicare? Are they really going to help families over oil companies when it comes to gas prices? The answer to these questions is no, and that's why the American people trust Democrats to clean up Washington and put their interests first." ### Republican Abuse of Power Through their K Street Project, Republicans have transformed Washington lobbyists into the fundraising committees of their permanent political campaign. In fact, the number of registered lobbyists in Washington has doubled <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- dyn/content/article/2005/06/21/AR2005062101632.html> since President Bush took office, making lobbying one of the top growth industries in the county. In return for donations, Republicans have put the interests of K Street above the needs of Main Street. The result has been the growing Republican scandal surrounding the disgraced former lobbyist, Jack Abramoff. The goal of the K Street Project was to make Washington a one party town. In the Senate, one-party rule has led to the rule of the rubber stamp. It's all abuse of power, all the time. Republicans are out of touch and unaccountable. As Democrats push for reform, here's a reminder of what we are fighting against. The low-lights: George Allen (VA) Abramoff Connection Jack Abramoff and his wife donated $1000 to George Allen in 2000. (Center for Responsive Politics <http://www.capitaleye.org/abramoff_donor.asp> ) Out of Touch Senator Allen called the Civil War a "four-year struggle for independence and sovereign rights," proclaimed April "Confederate History and Heritage Month." "As governor, [Allen] suffered through an antagonistic relationship with the state NAACP in Richmond. Tempers reached a boiling point in 1997, when Allen proclaimed April as Confederate History and Heritage Month and called the Civil War "a four-year struggle for independence and sovereign rights." [Newport News Daily Press, 12/22/02] Senator Allen kept a noose and a confederate flag in his office and home. "Allen, who once hung a confederate flag in his home and a noose outside his Charlottesville law office, was long viewed with suspicion by much of the black community." [Newport News Daily Press, 12/22/02] Senator Allen called the federal government a "beast of tyranny and oppression". In his 1994 gubernatorial inaugural address, Allen pledged to "fight the beast of tyranny and oppression that our federal government has become." [Richmond Times Dispatch, 10/31/00] Senator Allen made violent threats directed at Democrats. Addressing the Virginia state Republican convention as Governor, Allen said of Democrats, "Let's enjoy knocking their soft teeth down their whiny throats." [Washington Post, 6/9/94] As Governor of Virginia, George Allen tried to cut "Meals on Wheels," the program that feeds seniors in need. The Washington Post reported, "'We remember that as governor George Allen tried to cut Meals on Wheels,' said Rae Paarfus, 77, of Richmond.' Allen's 1995 budget included a variety of cuts, including seniors' meals, to help pay for a tax decrease, but Democrats and Republicans voted overwhelmingly to reject them." [Washington Post, 10/24/00] Senator Allen publicly identified crime victim. "A group of crime victims rallied in Richmond Monday to drum up support for abolishing parole, but at least one participant needs a briefing on victims' rights. Gov. George Allen, in a speech before a crowd of about 200 at Capitol Square, said a woman's name into the microphone, then said, 'Whoops.' 'You in the media, don't print that name,' Mr. Allen said, then went on to inform everyone in the crowd that the woman was a rape victim who didn't want her name made public." [Washington Times, 9/21/94] Senator Allen spoke at Pat Robertson's university after Robertson claimed that activist judges are a more serious threat than "a few bearded terrorists who fly into buildings.' "Allen spoke at Robertson's Regent University this past weekend, telling students, "I hope and pray that God continues to bless our country with people of your character and especially your integrity.'" [The Hill, 5/11/05] Christopher Bond (MO) Abramoff Connection: Jack Abramoff and his wife donated $1,500 to Senator Bond in 2004. (Center for Responsive Politics <http://www.capitaleye.org/abramoff_donor.asp> ) Sam Brownback (KS) Abramoff Connection Senator Brownback criticized lobbying in Washington when he was new in town. "Brownback denounced the Washington lobbying scene as 'a domestication process where you bring in new, fresh legislators and then you start to try to tame them and assist them with gifts and meals and trips almost like you would a horse with a sugar cube.'" [Washington Post, 11/27/95 <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- srv/politics/special/campfin/stories/cf112795.htm> ] But Senator Brownback recently returned $44,500 in donations, and "tribal representatives have said Abramoff suggested donation amounts." "Brownback is among the top dozen recipients of donations from Abramoff, his partners and the tribes he represented. On Thursday, Brownback's chief spokesman said Brownback is giving the money to American Indian charities . ..''Brownback met Abramoff once at a breakfast,' said Brian Hart, Brownback's chief spokesman. The two never met formally, nor was Brownback directly involved with any tribes Abramoff represented, he said. Hart said it's not clear why Brownback got more money than most lawmakers. Of the $44,500 Brownback received, $43,000 came from four tribes. Tribal representatives have said Abramoff suggested donation amounts, but 'Senator Brownback was never asked to do anything for or anything by Mr. Abramoff, his colleagues or his clients,' Hart said." [Wichita Eagle, 1/6/06 <http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/13561955.htm> ] Chief of the Wyandotte Nation blasted Brownback for taking "dirty money". "The chief of the Wyandotte Nation criticized Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) for taking "dirty money" from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Brownback has accepted $42,000 from Abramoff, The Native American Times reported. Wyandotte Chief Leaford Bearskin said the donation is tied to Brownback's efforts to block the Wyandotte Nation's casino in downtown Kansas City." [Indianz.com, 12/22/05 <http://www.indianz.com/News/2005/011847.asp> ] Jim Bunning (R-KY) Abramoff Connection Jack Abramoff and his wife donated $1,000 to Senator Bunning in 2004. (Center for Responsive Politics <http://www.capitaleye.org/abramoff_donor.asp> ) Out of Touch Senator Bunning compared his opponent to one of Saddam Hussein's sons. "Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, at a recent GOP event, told diners that state Sen. Daniel Mongiardo, his likely opponent in the November election, looks like one of Saddam Hussein's sons. Yesterday, his campaign said it was a joke and apologized. 'We're sorry if this joke, which got a lot of laughs, offended anyone,' Bunning campaign manager David Young said." [The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), 4/1/04] Senator Bunning alleged without proof that his wife ended up black and blue after an encounter with his opponent. "In a few races, unscripted moments and unguarded moment have hurt, Republicans most prominently. None more so than Kentucky GOP Sen. Jim Bunning, who alleged without proof at one point that his wife wound up "black and blue" after an encounter at a picnic with aides to his rival. That followed a claim that his opponent resembled one of Saddam Hussein's sons." [Associated Press, 10/30/04] Conrad Burns (R-MT) Abramoff Connection Jack Abramoff and his wife donated $5,000 to Senator Burns's PAC, Friends of the Big Sky, in 2002. (Center for Responsive Politics <http://www.capitaleye.org/abramoff_donor.asp> ) Burns changed his vote after receiving donation from an Abramoff client. U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns took a stance in opposition to a bill in 2001 after he received a $5,000 donation from a Jack Abramoff client opposing the bill, records show. The client hired Abramoff as a lobbyist specifically to defeat the kind of bill Burns voted against. Before receiving the payment, Burns did not oppose an identical bill that unanimously passed the Senate in 2000, Senate documents show. [Billings Gazette, 12/3/05 <http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/12/03/build/st ate/25-burns-donation.inc> ] Funding for Abramoff client put into Appropriations Bill on Burns's watch; Burns admitted to being insufficiently vigilant.