FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2008
Ackerson Decries Culture of Entitlement and Corruption In Congress and the Energy Industry
Zionsville, Ind - Nels Ackerson, Candidate for the 4th Congressional District, today called for stronger enforcement of criminal laws and more effective Congressional oversight in the wake of yet another ethics scandal in Washington. "Our government continues to betray our trust by tolerating corruption and waste of taxpayers' money."
"We are literally losing billions of dollars every year because of government employees who chase perks from oil, gas, mineral and energy companies in exchange for one-sided contracts and underpriced leases. The conduct by employees of the Minerals Management Service (MMS) is outrageous," stated Ackerson.
The MMS scandal follows on the heels of the April criminal conviction of high-powered Congressional lobbyist Jack Abramoff for trading expensive gifts, meals and sports trips in exchange for political favors. Ackerson noted that this behavior should have been stopped years ago. "Legislation to stop government employees from taking gifts from lobbyists and contractors should not have waited so long. It is terrible that stronger versions of this law were blocked by members of Congress, allowing corruption that costs taxpayers billions."
Ackerson specifically criticized 16 year incumbent Steve Buyer, a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, for not only failing to fight the corruption, but instead showing a consistent tolerance of lax ethics in the Energy industry and encouraging the lobbyists from oil, gas, and energy companies that he oversees. "The incumbent Steve Buyer has shown his loyalty to oil industry executives and corporate PACs who have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund his campaigns. Since taking office 16 years ago Steve Buyer has taken over $160,000 from energy companies, and voted repeatedly to stop reforms that might reduce his fundraising perks."
"It is clear that there is a culture of corruption and entitlement in Washington that is being tolerated throughout the government," said Ackerson. As published in the Wall Street Journal, the report from the Inspectors Generals' office uncovered corruption at every level of the MMS, including a former department head. Investigators found that government employees responsible for managing more than $4.3 billion dollars in taxpayer money have been regularly engaging in acts of sexual behavior, drug abuse, and bribery with the very people they regulate.
Congressional records show that Buyer has consistently voted against restricting the influence of lobbyists and against legislation that would forbid Congressman like himself from receiving gifts. Among the positions Buyer has supported are:
- Voting against the investigation into Jack Abramoff's illegal lobbying activities (3/30/06, RC#76);
- Voting against stronger reporting requirements for lobbyists involved in fundraising for candidates (5/24/07, RC#420);
- Voting against repealing weak House ethics rules (4/27/05, RC# 145); and
- Voting for allowing groups to pay for a Congressperson's travel, and lobbyists to cater dinners to their offices (1/7/03, RC#4);
"This incestuous relationship between corporate money and the Congressmen who oversee them is costing taxpayers billions. It forces voters to question who their representatives are actually representing, the voters or the lobbyists that shower Congress with perks and money. Congress has not upheld the trust of the people they represent to prevent these illegal activities, and instead Congress has been auctioning off that trust for their own enrichment," said Nels. "I know that I am not the only American who is tired of it. I want our government returned to us and I want an explanation from Steve Buyer for standing in the way of accountability, voting to protect Abromoff and his cronies, and for his acceptance of so much money from companies that he oversees."
