DeLay by Move On

A month ago it looked like the scandals surrounding Republican Majority Leader Rep. Tom DeLay couldn't get any worse. Newspapers were breaking new stories every week about lobbyist-paid golf trips, the $500,000 paid from DeLay's political coffers to his family, and back-room deals DeLay was cutting to save his hide.

Then, it got worse.

The latest scandal connects DeLay to sweatshops in the Mariana Islands making apparel with "Made in the USA" labeling while avoiding U.S. labor laws — exploiting Chinese immigrant labor. But a growing number of Republicans are going mute on DeLay's ethical abuses. They're afraid of far-right organizations — who are staunch DeLay supporters — and of retribution from DeLay himself.

The thing that will push Tom DeLay out of his leadership role is a public outcry and pressure on the Republicans who gave him that office. That's where you come in. In a few weeks, we're going to organize events across the nation to deliver our petition to fire Tom DeLay to the Republicans who still back him — either Republicans in Congress or the local Republican Party.

Take a moment to sign it now — the more signatures we can deliver Rep. Porter, the more likely he is to think twice about DeLay's leadership.

The tangled web of backslapping relationships between DeLay, other Republicans, and lobbyists needs to be exposed to the light. So we've taken the best information out there on the connections between Republican members of Congress and Rep. Tom DeLay and we're sending it to you as your own personal "Report Card on Rep. Porter"
Among his offenses, Tom Delay:
Accepted trips from corporations and later helped kill legislation they opposed

Accepted trips from the lobbyist for a foreign government in violation of House rules

Paid family members more than $500,000 out of campaign contributions

Helped sweatshops in the Mariana Islands at the behest of a lobbyist.

Promised a role in drafting legislation to a corporate donor

Tried to coerce a Congressman for a vote on Medicare

Allegedly used corporate money given to his PAC to finance Texas campaigns in violation of state law

Used Homeland Security resources in a dispute with Democrats in Texas

Diverted funds from a children's charity for lavish celebrations at the Republican convention

Threatened retaliation against interest groups that don't support Republicans

Stacked the House Ethics Committee with representatives who have contributed to his legal defense fund

Crippled the effectiveness of the House Ethics Committee by purging members who had rebuked him

Pushed for a rules change for the House Ethics process that paralyzed the panel

Sought a rule change that would have no longer "required leaders to step aside temporarily if indicted"