Originally published February 22 2006
White house tight-lipped on lobbyist visits
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
White House officials will not say why or with whom lobbyist Jack Abramoff -- a top fundraiser for the Bush's re-election campaign who recently pled guilt to mail fraud and tax evasion charges in an influence-peddling scandal involving more than a dozen members of Congress -- was meeting with during recent visits with Bush's staff.
The White House is refusing to reveal details of lobbyist Jack Abramoff's visits with President George W. Bush's staff.
According to Press Secretary Scott McClellan, Abramoff had "a few" such meetings. But the spokesman won't say when or with whom. Nor will he say which interests Abramoff was representing -- or how he got access to the White House.
Abramoff pleaded guilty two weeks ago to mail fraud and tax evasion charges in an influence-peddling scandal that's involved a dozen-plus members of Congress.
Abramoff was also a top fundraiser for Bush's re-election campaign -- and attended two holiday receptions at the White House.
Earlier McClellan promised a "thorough" report on the lobbyist's meetings with White House staff. But now he says he won't go beyond previous comments.
House GOP Outlines Ethics Proposals
House Republicans have unveiled a series of new ethics proposals in the wake of the lobbying scandal.
House Speaker Dennis Hastert, an Illinois Republican, said members "must be above question."
The GOP proposals include a ban on travel paid for by private groups, like the lavish trips arranged for lawmakers by Abramoff.
The Republican plan would also double, from one to two years, the waiting period before lawmakers and senior staff members can lobby Congress.
Democrats, who have blasted what they call a Republican "culture of corruption," plan to unveil their proposals on Wednesday.
The action by both parties comes after Abramoff agreed to tell prosecutors how he allegedly lavished donations, trips, meals and other favors on members of Congress who provided legislative help.
Al-Jazeera Wants Bush-Blair Records
Lawyers for Al-Jazeera are pushing Britain's government to release part of a transcript of a meeting between Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bush.
The Arab television network's London bureau chief told The Associated Press the law firm was hired "to put pressure" on the government because Al-Jazeera "would like to know the truth."
A British tabloid reported that Bush told Blair in April 2004 that Al-Jazeera's headquarters should be bombed.
A spokesman told British media that Blair's office will reply to the freedom of information request within 20 working days. The spokesman said details from private talks between Blair and "any other world leaders" won't be disclosed.
"The memo doesn't refer to bombing the Al-Jazeera television station in Qatar" or anywhere else, the spokesman said.
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