This past December, Mr. McHugh proudly announced that he was elected by his Republican colleagues to serve on the House Republican Steering Committee. By his own description the Steering committee “is responsible for making assignments to standing committees for the 110th Congress, … [and] naming Republicans to Committee Ranking Member positions.”

The Republican Steering Committee has now found it appropriate (no pun in intended) to appoint Jerry Lewis(R-Calif) as ranking member of the powerful Appropriations Committee even though he is under investigation by the FBI for steering millions in appropriation contracts to staffers, friends, and family in return for campaign contributions. Reportedly there were a number of Republican members who were quite worried if the leadership had learned the lessons of the November elections.

Recently, they appointed Gary Miller (R-Calif), also under FBI investigation for land deals in Monrovia California and tax evasion, to the top spot on the House Committee on Financial Services’ (formerly House Banking & Currency Committee) Oversight and Investigations subcommittee. See below for more information on the subcommittee.

Mr. McHugh continues to be complicit by turning a blind eye to corruption. He did the same thing with Tom Delay two years ago supporting a change allowing House leaders to keep their posts even if charged with felonies, when Delay was on the cusp of being indicted.

Opinion:

There has to be a higher standard for leadership or even membership in the United States House of Representatives than the level of proof of criminal conviction “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Those under federal investigation, or worse, under indictment do not belong in leadership positions in the House. The level of tolerance is more than “not being indicted.”

If Mr. McHugh was out voted by the other members of the Republican Steering Committee, then it is incumbent upon him to speak out and not support the corruption that is continuing with his colleagues. It is not a House of Crime but a House of Representatives. This is not the time to just “get along” but to stand up and be counted. This is no place to straddle the fence.

What’s more – there is very little political risk involved. He is now in the minority party without any power. Unlike the role of the minority party in the Senate, being a minority member in the House is little more than being a “potted plant.” By asserting moral leadership, there is very little for our reprentative to lose.

In contrast, Ms. Pelosi refuses to appoint William Jefferson (D-LA) – caught on video tape accepting $100K and found to have $90K in his home freezer – to any leadership position or place him back on the powerful Ways and Means committee. He is a low ranking member of the Small Business Committee. When he’s indicted, if he won’t resign in disgrace, he needs to be removed from even that committee.
This subcommittee investigates all matters within the jurisdiction of the full committee including:

all components of the nation’s housing and financial services sectors including banking, insurance, real estate, public and assisted housing, and securities along with laws and programs relating to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Reserve Bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and international development and finance agencies such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The Committee also ensures enforcement of housing and consumer protection laws such as the U.S. Housing Act, the Truth In Lending Act, the Housing and Community Development Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, and financial privacy laws.