For Immediate
Release
October 2,
2006
Contact: Jessica Rhoades, Montana Democratic
Party
406.442.9520
***RADIO ACTUALITY***
Burns, Rehberg Silent on Republican Sex
Scandal
Rehberg took Foley’s cash, Burns worked with sex offender on internet “safety” legislation,
investigation underway
(HELENA, MT) – The Montana Democratic Party today
called on Sen. Conrad Burns and Rep. Dennis Rehberg to condemn a sex scandal involving a Republican Congressman and former male
page. The scandal rocked Washington, DC last week and ultimately lead to the resignation of a member of the U.S. House
leadership and an investigation into what House Republican leaders knew and when they knew it. Neither Sen. Burns nor Rep. Rehberg
have made any public statements on the matter.
Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) resigned quickly last week after it
was revealed that he had inappropriate email exchanges with a male U.S. House page that, at the time, was just 15 years old.
Foley, who had co-chaired the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus Foley held the title of Deputy Whip in the
House. Sen. Burns has the same position in the Senate.
“Montanans have a right to know what Sen. Burns knew
about Rep. Foley’s despicable behavior,” said Montana Democratic Party Executive Director Jim Farrell.
“We’re judged by the company we keep and Sen. Burns has been keeping some company that is, at best, questionable and at worst,
embarrassing for Montana.”
Farrell said, “Congressman Rehberg has accepted a
$1,000.00 campaign contribution from Rep. Foley’s Campaign Committee. We think he should return that money today.”
On September 29th, the House Ethics Committee
launched a bipartisan investigation to determine when Mr. Foley sent the inappropriate emails, who knew of them, whether there was a pattern of
inappropriate activity by Mr. Foley with pages or former pages, when the Republican leadership was notified and what corrective action was taken once
officials learned of any improper activity. The committee must report back in 10 days.
In 2005, both Burns and Rehberg turned in dismal 0% voting
records with the non-partisan Children’s Defense Fund Action Council, a group that tracks congressional votes important to the safety of
children.
“Because after all, if we can’t trust the
Republican Party to protect 15-year-old pages, how can we trust them to protect the rest of us?” asked Farrell.
###
Farrell_Condemn.mp3 Jim Farrell (12.5 seconds)
Montana Democrats, on behalf of all Montanans, are calling
on Sen. Conrad Burns and Congressman Dennis Rehberg to condemn this Republican Congressman who has been caught in a sex scandal
with a 15-year-old page.
Farrell_Return.mp3 Jim Farrell (9 seconds)
Congressman Rehberg has accepted a $1,000.00 in campaign
contributions from Rep. Foley’s Campaign Committee. We think he should return that money today.
Farrell_Trust.mp3 Jim Farrell (7 seconds)
Because after all, if we can’t trust the Republican
Party to protect 15-year-old pages, how can we trust them to protect the rest of us?
