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Senator reid calls congress most corrupt in history Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyID=2005-12-18T182931Z_01_MOL866533_RTRUKOC_0_US-CONGRESS-ETHICS.xml http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyID=2005-12-18T182931Z_01_MOL866533_RTRUKOC_0_US-CONGRESS-ETHICS.xml Sen. Reid calls US Congress 'most corrupt in history' Sun Dec 18, 2005 1:29 PM ET By Thomas Ferraro WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid called the Republican-led Congress "the most corrupt in history" on Sunday, and distanced himself from lobbyist Jack Abramoff, at the center of an escalating probe. The Justice Department is investigating whether Jack Abramoff directed illegal payoffs to lawmakers, including Rep. Tom DeLay of Texas, who was forced to step down as House Republican leader in September after indicted in his home state of Texas on unrelated charges. "Don't lump me in with Jack Abramoff. This is a Republican scandal," Reid told Fox News Sunday, saying he never received any money from Abramoff. Reid, like many members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, has received campaign contributions from Abramoff clients. Some lawmakers have returned those donations, but Reid gave no indication he would do so. The Securities and Exchange Commission has been examining stock sales by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, and last month Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a California Republican, resigned from the House after pleading guilty of taking more than $2.4 million in bribes involving defense contracts. Democrats have accused Republicans of "a culture of corruption," and plan to make it an issue in next year's congressional elections. "America can do better than what we've done," said Reid. "The most corrupt Congress in the history of the country. We have such significant problems with what's going on in this country." Most of the federal investigative focus is now on Abramoff, whose lobbying activities, particularly on behalf of Indian tribal clients, are also being examined by Congress. Appearing on Fox TV, Reid said, "Abramoff gave me no money. His firm gave me no money. He may have worked (at) a firm where people have given me money." A Reid aide later explained that the senator received money from a political action committee affiliated with a firm where Abramoff had worked, but Abramoff did not contribute to it. "I feel totally at ease that I haven't done anything that is even close to being wrong," Reid said. © Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

2006 budget includes 29 billion in pork barrel spending { April 5 2006 } 2006 elections could be most costly in history { October 24 2006 } Abramoff tribes donated funds to lawmakers Airlines gave congress { October 20 1999 } Airlines spend millions { October 14 2002 } Avoid softmoney ban { November 2 2002 } Biggest defense contractors heavy lobby influence in washington Bribed congressman wore wire in plea deal Bush fundraiser { June 13 2002 } Bush insider trading { July 3 2002 } Bush loans { July 11 2002 } Bush photos with abramoff defended by whitehouse { January 23 2006 } Bush raised 90 mill Bush raising artform { October 17 2002 } Business groups to cut funds to representatives over cafta { June 12 2005 } California congressman admits taking bribes California republican takes from foreign lobbies { November 3 2006 } Campaign fiance fails test { November 27 2002 } Campaign finance law struck down { May 2 2003 } Cheney suit dismissed { December 9 2002 } Cia deputy house searched over congress bribery { May 12 2006 } Companies make employees donate political campaigns { September 3 2004 } Congress members taken 16m in privately financed trips Congressman gets homes yachts antique furnishings Congressman lobby job heightens revolving door fear { December 17 2004 } Congressman takes 100k in bribes Corrupt congress has lobbyist write their legislation { October 27 2006 } Defense contractor pleads guilty to briding lawmaker { February 25 2006 } Delay aides face charges on cracker barrel funds { September 22 2004 } Democrats travel costs linked to lobbyist { May 4 2005 } Details of maryland soft money { September 25 2003 } Developer paid lawmakers for county highway Drugmakers are biggest lobby to sway congress Finance loopholes { June 21 2002 } Former lobbyist gets 2 million { July 10 2006 } Gop threats halted gao cheney suit { February 19 2003 } Hill leaders often take corporate jets { May 5 2005 } Indian tribes pay 45m to lobbyists Influence peddling in congress prosperous industry { June 22 2005 } Justices split on campaign finance { September 9 2003 } Ken starr fights finance Lawmakers lobbyists keep constant contact { June 28 2004 } Lobbyist abramoff buys ohio congressman { October 18 2005 } Lobbyist laundered tribal funds to israel Mccain accuses softmoney corrupts colleagues { October 15 1999 } Most polled say both parties corrupt { December 2005 } New campaign finance { July 9 2002 } New soft money { August 25 2002 } No ethics rules stop lawmakers accepting bribes { August 4 2005 } Ohio congressman takes scotland trip by scanlon One billion on ads Pelosi accused pork barrel { February 21 2003 } Perdue pushes ethics on firm lawmaker revolving door Pork increases with lawmakers earmarks { January 27 2006 } Power came with plate for lobbyist abramoff { July 6 2005 } Push bush probe { July 21 2002 } Senate deal offers tobacco regulation buyout of growers Senate OKs bill to protect corporations from lawsuits Senator kills political finance reform { October 12 1999 } Senator reid calls congress most corrupt in history Some in gop regretting pork stuffed highway bill { November 5 2005 } Supreme court mccain feingold ruling { December 11 2003 } White house environment advisor gets job at exxonmobile Files Listed: 63

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