Washington, DC – Rep. Tom Price (GA-06-R) issued the following statement today after learning that the Democrat Caucus, under the recommendation of Speaker Pelosi, unanimously ratified the appointment of Rep. William Jefferson to the Homeland Security Committee.

The Promise:

“And the American people told us they expected us to work together...with the highest ethical standards...” – Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Congressional Record, 1/4/2007)

Before the 2006 election, and after investigators found $90,000 in Representative Jefferson’s freezer, Speaker Pelosi asked for Jefferson’s resignation from the Ways & Means Committee “in the interest of upholding the high ethical standard of the House Democratic Caucus.” (The Hill, 5/25/2006)

The Reality:

Rep. William Jefferson, still under suspicion for his possible involvement in an international bribery scheme, has been appointed to the House Committee on Homeland Security. This is one of three committees in the House whose members have regular access to classified information. Such a move suggests Rep. Jefferson was unfit to oversee tax policy but fit to make decisions regarding national security.

“A pledge should be more than mere words. If Speaker Pelosi is so concerned with upholding an unprecedented level of ethical standards, then perhaps she should start with her own caucus. The Democrat leadership appropriately stripped a Member of Congress of his committee seat in light of an FBI investigation. But once a little water had passed under the bridge, they turned around and rewarded this same member with a security clearance and unfettered access to classified information. Democrats may have a short memory, but Americans do not.”

The Solution:

Positive, Principled, Solution-Oriented Leadership

Democrat Broken Promise Meter: 19

Democrats and High Ethical Standards (03/1/07)

Democrats and Card Check vs. State Law (02/28/07)

Democrats and Troop Funding (02/15/07)

Democrats and Iraq(02/13/07)

Democrats and Card Check Flip-Flop (02/12/07)

Democrats and Special Interests (02/08/07)

Democrats and Air Tavel(02/07/07)

Democrats and Earmarks(02/02/07)

Democrats and Troop Funding (01/29/07)

Democrats and Bipartisanship(01/24/07)

Democrats and Energy Policy(01/18/07)

Democrats and Student Loans(01/16/07)

Democrats and PAYGO (1/11/07)

Democrats and National Security (1/9/07)

Democrats and Five-Day-Work-Week (1/7/07)

Democrats and 24 Hours to Review Legislation (1/3/07)

Democrats and Committee Assignments (12/27/06)

Democrats and 9/11 Recommendations (12/18/06)

Democrats and the Legislative Process (12/15/06)

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