At NJDC, we are calling today for Senator Stevens to be removed from his post on the Senate Appropriations Committee until his corruption investigation is complete.
This is a follow-up to our public criticism (which echoed that of several others in the progressive community) of the Senate GOP Leadership for their hypocrisy in rushing to punish Sen. Craig for a gay scandal while ignoring Senator Vitter's heterosexual sex scandal.
Again we see this GOP Leadership being exposed for an obvious double standard. Apparently, soliciting a gay tryst is worse than taking bribes from oil companies.
From the NJDC release:
"Again we see a double standard on the part of the Senate Republican leadership," said NJDC Vice Chairman Marc R. Stanley. "They were swift to punish Senator Larry Craig for his involvement in a gay sex scandal. But when homosexuality is not involved, GOP Leaders are slow to hold their own Senators accountable."
And another quote from our release:
"Senator Stevens is entitled to due process, and if he is cleared of these most serious charges, NJDC would support Stevens’ reinstatement to the Appropriations Committee. However, while he is under investigation Stevens should not have special say in the funding of the very agencies conducting the investigation," continued Stanley.
More on Stevens:
NOTE: I forgot to spell out NJDC -- thanks for the heads up -- NJDC is the National Jewish Democratic Council