Today in my local paper, there's an article about Congressman Ralph Regula (my old opponent) and how a Colorado-based group is trying to stop him from getting the Chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee.
Based on a Regula-sponsored project (Fee-Demo, charging people a fee to use public parks, which is double-taxation), the Western Slope No-Fee Coalition is pressuring Congress to bypass Regula based on his recent history of strongarming and unethical tactics.
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=198726&r=1&Category=11 (free registration required)
"He has used his expectation of receiving the appointment (as appropriations chairman) to threaten withholding of funding for other members' districts and to push his pet projects," a statement from the Norwood, Colo.-based group said.
More after the fold....
Regula, one of the highest-ranking members of the appropriations committee, responded Sunday.
"That's the biggest bunch of baloney I've heard yet," he said.
The congressman also denied the group's claim that the House Resources Committee gave a thumbs-up to the fee Sept. 22 only after Regula "reportedly (threatened) to deny future funding to other programs important to committee members."
Regula said, "I have never made any such (threatening) statement."
Robert Funkhouser, president of the coalition, conceded he lacks proof that Regula used intimidation.
Oh, but you HAVE made threatening statements, Congressman. Worse yet, I have a letter written by you in which you claim to have followed up on those threats.
Some history for you here.......
In 2003, Regula threatened to cut funding for earmarked projects for any member of Congress who voted against the Appropriations Act of 2003. Congresspeople all place their projects in this bill every year...it's usually referred to as pork, but often times the funding is earmarked for VERY important projects (they're not always earmarked for golf courses and gated communities). He later stated that any funding cut would not be a payback for the votes against the bill, but then he contradicted himself in print.
In an October 29, 2003 letter to Congressman David Obey, Regula stated the following....
I have decided not to provide Member projects to those House Members who opposed the bill
Sounds pretty clear, huh? He seems almost proud that he cut those projects from Members (who were ALL Democrats, by the way). Then WHY did Regula state this weekend that he has "never made any such statements"?? Clearly he has a history of threats and strongarm tactics.
Oh, and by the way. One of the projects that had funding cut was a neo-natal intensive care clinic in Nevada. Congressman Shelley Berkeley was the recipient of the cut and later said "what kind of a man takes his anger out on sick babies who need medical attention?"
I've already contacted the writer of the story (Paul Krawzak, Copley Newspapers in DC) and alerted him to the Regula/Obey letter. If anybody is in Shelley Berkeley's district, please forward this article to her office and call her....let her know that there is opposition to Regula on this powerful committee. We can't afford to have a man like this in charge of our appropriations. Help us out.
Thanks,
Jeff Seemann