Howard Berman: “Mr. Speaker, like the chairman, I rise in sadness, but in strong support of the motion to expel. The gravity of the…”

“Mr. Speaker, like the chairman, I rise in sadness, but in strong support of the motion to expel. The gravity of the offenses of the gentleman from Ohio against the rules of the House compel us to impose the most severe of sanctions, and thereby uphold the honor and integrity of the people's House. I say this, and I can say this with certainty, because of the rigor and the evenhandedness of the process undertaken by the committee, consistent with House and committee rules, and with the resolve of a chairman who, in every instance he could, bent over backwards to ensure fairness and afford the gentleman from Ohio a full and fair opportunity to present his defense. We gave the assertions of the gentleman every consideration. We entertained every motion, admitting into evidence virtually every document he offered, and, despite having the trial transcript before us, nonetheless heard from a number of additional witnesses, including some who had testified for him at trial. And what was the gentleman's defense? That he paid for the labor and materials provided to him on his farm; that, in the alternative, the farm wasn't his; that he paid for the cars provided to him; that the kickbacks he demanded from the staff were in fact loans voluntarily tendered to him and repaid by him. But take a closer look. The gentleman had a very busy winter of 1999- 2000.…”