Sep 15, 2006 -- Rep. Ney's Plea Deal: Statement of Meredith McGehee, Campaign Legal Center Policy Director

Despite what congressional leadership is saying, the growing list of plea agreements, convictions and indictments is not just a case of a few bad apples. And the familiar refrain that a guilty plea is another example showing that "the system works," just doesn't hold water. These all-too-familiar excuses from the leadership are simply not true and a dodge from accepting responsibility.

Representative Ney's guilty plea is just the latest symptom of a chronic illness afflicting Capitol Hill. The spotlight is now on those who were greedy, or desperate or troubled enough to get caught. But the pay-to-play status quo on Capitol Hill in fact encourages and reinforces this type of behavior by Members of Congress, by congressional staffers and by lobbyists. Some Members are simply more skilled at working the system.

If this were really a case of just a few bad apples, Congress would have actually passed the substantive lobbying and ethics reforms they promised in January. The cynicism and contempt for the public that is rampant today on Capitol Hill will not be effectively addressed by the fallback earmark measure passed last night by the House of Representatives.

Members of Congress must start making some hard choices and reform this corrupting, dysfunctional system that has led us into huge deficits and a complete lack of accountability. Otherwise, they are choosing to put their selfish, personal interests over the nation's and weakening our democracy by decreasing the American people's trust in our government, our institutions and our public servants.

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