| For Immediate Release 2/6/2004 |
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| COMMON CAUSE, NCRP CALL ON HOUSE MEMBERS TO URGE ETHICS COMMITTEE TO FORMALLY RULE ON DELAY FUNDRAISING SCHEME | |||
| WASHINGTON - Common Cause and the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) on Thursday called on all House Members to urge the Ethics Committee to formally rule on the legality of a plan closely associated with Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) to establish a children's charity as a fundraising vehicle to subsidize donor events at the Republican National Convention. "By failing to simply ask questions of the Ethics Committee regarding the majority leader's actions, you are abandoning your responsibility to provide accountability of the House of Representatives to the public," Common Cause President Chellie Pingree wrote in a letter to Members. According to published reports, the charity, Celebrations for Children (CfC), was established as a non-profit 501 (c)3 to benefit disadvantaged children. CfC was reportedly soliciting donations of up to $500,000 and promising contributors access to Rep. DeLay and other lawmakers at the convention in return. By its own admission, the charity will use the funds to pay for a "luxury" suite for big donors to watch the convention proceedings, for a "yacht" cruise with Rep. DeLay and other Members and for a lavish "late night" party at the convention. "Although kids may benefit from the money raised by Celebrations for Children, the overall impression is that the organization's charitable status is being used as a vehicle to gain political access for high bidders," said Rick Cohen, executive director of NCRP. "Rep. DeLay's use and misuse of charities as a political vehicle undermine the spirit of philanthropy and the intent of campaign finance regulations." - more - News Release Friday, Feb. 06, 2004 Page 2 of 2 Common Cause has twice previously called on House Members to urge the Ethics Committee to make a formal ruling on the legality of Rep. DeLay's plan. In addition, Common Cause, NCRP and other groups have complained to the Internal Revenue Service and asked it to deny charitable tax status to CfC. The groups believe the overt partisanship of these activities is inappropriate for a charitable non-profit organization. Since those outside Congress are not permitted to request an Ethics Committee investigation or even an advisory opinion, Pingree and Cohen wrote to Members that the responsibility falls to them to push for answers and clarification on a fundraising plan that could set a dangerous precedent. A copy of the letter to House Members is attached or can be viewed at NCRP's website, www.ncrp.org or at Common Cause's website, www.commoncause.org. Founded in 1976, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy is dedicated to helping the philanthropic community advance the traditional values of social and economic justice for all Americans. Committed to helping funders more effectively serve the most disadvantaged Americans, NCRP is a national watchdog, research and advocacy organization that promotes public accountability and accessibility among foundations, corporate grantmakers, individual donors and workplace giving programs. For more information on NCRP or to join, please visit www.ncrp.org or call (202) 387-9177. |
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