Nanci Pelosi defended her decision to allow Congressman Jefferson on the Homeland Security committee. She weakly contended that his district, which includes New Orleans was vital to the committee.
Nonsense!
Last year, after allegations and 90,000 of marked bills in his freezer came to light, Jefferson was rightfully kicked off the Ways and Means committee. Unfortunately, the people of New Orleans sent this soon to be felon back to Washington. Most of the nation cited corruption as a major reason for change in Washington. Obviously, the voters who sent MR Jefferson back to D.C. weren't amongst them.
In his case, Speaker Pelosi had a grand opportunity to stand up for the Americans who are sick of the blatant corruption in Washington. Instead, she decided to play "business as usual" as Congressman Jefferson got comfortorble in his committee chair.
On one hand, I applaud the Speaker for her management and success of their "1st 100 hours" in getting thru all the legislation they promised. They certainly have been more effective and victorious than over in Harry Reid's Senate, who seems stalled at the starting line.
On the other hand there's gross cronyism and old school politics in moves like this. There's also her inability to actually make good on the promise of a 5 day house workweek. So far, they've only had one, and this week is another 3 day week.
Hopefully, Speaker Pelosi will consider reversing her position on Congressman Jefferson's reward of a committee seat on the all important and prestigious Homeland Security committee.