Berryhill Calls for an End to Culture of Corruption

Press Release

With recent ethics charges brought against Representatives Rangel and Waters, Candidate Mike Berryhill calls on voters to make a change in Congress.

Congressional Democrats have many reasons to worry about their chances in the upcoming midterm elections due in large part to their support for an unpopular legislative agenda including the failed stimulus and the healthcare takeover. The ongoing ethics troubles of Representative's Charles Rangel (D-New York) and Maxine Waters (D-California) help to illustrate Congressional Candidate Mike Berryhill's assertion that the only way to end
Washington's culture of corruption is to make a change in Congress.

A defiant Rangel took to the floor of the House of Representatives Tuesday and spoke at length before a packed chamber inviting the members to "fire your best shot at getting me expelled." It takes a two-thirds vote of the House to remove a member. A House ethics panel has brought Rangel up on 13 charges of ethics violations including failure to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in income, using taxpayer-funded resources for campaign purposes and abusing his free congressional mail privilege to solicit donations.

In an effort to distance themselves from Rangel many Democrats have returned donations from Rangel to their campaigns. Dennis Cardoza, (D-Merced), used the thousands of dollars of funds he received from Rangel to contribute to the League of Women Voters in Merced. Despite the attempt by some to distance themselves from Rangel, at the conclusion of his speech several Democrats were seen to applaud some even offering a standing ovation.

Four years ago House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pledged to "drain the swamp" of Washington corruption but has done little or nothing to make good on her promise. The charges against Rangel; some of which he has even admitted to, are serious and could lead to prosecution in court but that hasn't stopped some House Democrats from proposing nothing more than a simple reprimand in contrast to Speaker Pelosi's pledge to run "the most honest, most open and most ethical Congress in history."

Rangel and fellow Democrat Maxine Waters, who is also being brought up on charges of ethics violations, will face trial this September just months before the midterm elections. Several have called for Rangel's resignation and President Obama went so far as to say that Rangel should "end his career with dignity."

"When Congressional Democrats stand and applaud the defiant comments of someone facing serious corruption charges it's a sign that things are extremely bad! We must end the culture of corruption by electing responsible Republicans in November. I pledge to hold myself to the highest ethical standards should I prevail in November and I will work with all members of the House leadership on both sides of the isle to usher in a zero tolerance policy for ethics violations," said Mike Berryhill, candidate for the 18th Congressional District.

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