WASHINGTON (AP) _ Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid on Thursday
apologized to 33 Republican senators singled out for ethics
criticism in a report from his office titled “Republican Abuse of
Power.”
“The document released by my office yesterday went too far and
I want to convey to you my personal regrets,” Reid said in a
letter.
“I am writing to apologize for the tone of this document and
the decision to single out individual senators for criticism in
it.”
Reid came under attack Wednesday over the report, which was
issued by his staff on Senate letterhead, even as he and fellow
Democrats released ethics overhaul proposals.
“Researching, compiling and distributing what amounts to
nothing more than a campaign ad on the taxpayers dime raises
serious ethical questions,” said Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas, one of
the lawmakers named.
The 27-page report criticized Republican lawmakers over their
ties to disgraced ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, questionable campaign
contributions and other issues.
Meanwhile, the head of the Republican Party said GOP lawmakers
who are guilty of wrongdoing should expect to be punished whatever
their political affiliation.
“The public trust is more important than party,” said Ken
Mehlman, the Republican National Committee chairman. “Which is why
the first solution to the problem is rooting out those who have
done wrong, without regard to party or ideology.”
Mehlman’s comments were in a speech that he planned to deliver
Friday to the annual winter meeting of the Republican National
Committee. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the speech.
The Abramoff investigation threatens to ensnare at least a half
dozen members of Congress of both parties and Bush administration
officials. Abramoff, who has admitted to conspiring to defraud his
Indian tribe clients, has pleaded guilty to corruption-related
charges and is cooperating with prosecutors.
With the midterm elections 10 months away, Democrats have tried
to link Abramoff to Republicans, the main recipients of his
largesse.
Two senior Republicans have already taken a fall because of
their ties to Abramoff.
Former Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, announced after
Abramoff’s guilty plea that he would not try to regain the post he
relinquished after being indicted on separate campaign finance
charges in Texas. Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, temporarily stepped down as
chairman of the House Administration Committee.
Mehlman said the GOP must earn the public’s trust by
recommitting itself to reform.
Responding to the influence-peddling scandal, Republicans and
Democrats have introduced similar ethics reform packages.
Mehlman said the response to the scandal should not be
“partisan hypocrisy.” He criticized Reid for calling the Abramoff
affair a Republican scandal. Reid has come under fire for his own
ties to Abramoff, including accepting money from Abramoff’s tribal
clients.
Four Senate Democrats sent a letter to senior administration
officials on Thursday calling on them to disclose any dealings with
Abramoff such as meetings, memos or favors.