Frank Pallone: “Republican cronyism here in Washington is something that has become quite evident to people outside the Beltway in…”

“Republican cronyism here in Washington is something that has become quite evident to people outside the Beltway in recent weeks. I just wanted to reference today an article in the last issue of Newsweek magazine by Jonathan Alter called ``Tom DeLay's House of Shame.'' It talks about how Mr. Alter a decade ago called on Tom DeLay in his ornate office in the Capitol and what he found there. Alter goes on to say, and I quote, ``Thus began what historians will regard as the single most corrupt decade in the long and colorful history of the House of Representatives. Never before has the leadership of the House been hijacked by a small band of extremists bent on building a ruthless shakedown machine, lining the pockets of their richest constituents and rolling back popular protections for ordinary people.'' He goes on to say that ``the 21st century radical Republican agenda, that is today, repeals health and safety regulations and spends billions on shameless pork-barrel projects to keep the GOP at the trough.'' The bottom line is that Republican cronyism is now evident to everyone. ____________________”