The Most Ethical Congress Ever?????

You know things are bad for you (as the Majority Leader) when the New York Times jumps on the bandwagon that is calling for an ethical investigation into the activities of PMA and Rep. John Murtha.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi should listen to the wise Democrats who are pushing for an ethics inquiry into the far-too-cozy relationship between lawmakers and the PMA Group of superlobbyists.

The Justice Department is investigating whether PMA used illegal straw donors to lard the campaign kitties of cooperative lawmakers. The firm — which shut itself down after being raided by federal agents — fed and fed richly off the defense appropriations subcommittee led by Representative John Murtha, the House baron of Pentagon spending.

Beyond the criminal investigation, the House needs to look into any violations of its own ethics rules. And the Democrats need to deliver on their party’s ethics promises — and more and more of them know it. As Representative Ron Kind told The Hill newspaper, “As long as this is not dealt with in the right manner, it’s just going to be a cloud hanging over us.”

Emphasis mine. Thus far Speaker Pelosi has resisted all calls (from the left and the right) to investigate ALL of the Representatives tied to PMA and their illegal campaign contributions. Rep. Murtha, while not the only representative or senator tied to PMA, has the closest ties to PMA and it's management. Included in the list above were members of Utah's Congressional Delegation. Senator Hatch ($4,000), Sen. Bob Bennet ($1,000), Rep Matheson ($10,000), and Rep Rob Bishop ($1,000) have all taken money from the embattled lobbying firm.

Remember, the person blocking this investigation is the woman that promised us the "most ethical Congress EVAH..." and yet here she is actively blocking attempts to investigate one of the largest Congressional pay-off scandals ever. She had best change her tune if she wishes to remain Speaker of the House in 2010.