Miller-Meeks: Loebsack now part of ‘culture of corruption’

New York Democrat Charles Rangel's decision to temporarily step down as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee today has “saved Rep. David Loebsack from another embarrassing vote in support of an ethically challenged, old-style politician,” said 2nd District Republican congressional hopeful Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

Loebsack, a Mount Vernon Democrat who was elected in 2006 by bemoaning the “culture of corruption” in Washington, D.C., voted in 2008 to block an ethics investigation of Rangel and accepted a $5,000 contribution from Rangel. That investigation centered on several charges against Rangel, including allegations that he failed to pay taxes on income from a Caribbean villa he owns and using his House stationery to solicit contributions to a City University of New York school to be named in his honor.

 After being admonished by the House Ethics Committee, Rangel said he would temporarily step aside as Ways and Means chair to avoid endangering the re-election chances of his fellow Democrats.

“That's what Washington has come to – not that he's going to permanently step aside because it's the right thing to do but that he's going to temporarily step aside so his pals get re-elected,” said Miller-Meeks, an Ottumwa ophthalmologist. “One of those Democrats is David Loebsack, who is already on record as supporting Rangel in 2008. David Loebsack is breathing a sigh of relief today because he knows Iowans want the mess in Washington cleaned up – and all he's done is contribute to the problem with his get-along, go-along mentality.”

 In 2006, Loebsack said he was “committed to genuine reforms that protect our rights and ensure that elected officials act appropriately.”

“His words in 2006 were correct,” Miller-Meeks said. “Unfortunately, his actions have never measured up and that's why David Loebsack needs to go.”

After Miller-Meeks criticized Loebsack in 2008, he donated Rangel's $5,000 to charity.