by Matthew Hay Brown
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appears to have learned something from the Mark Foley scandal.
A year ago, questions about what Republican leaders knew about Foley’s communications with former male pages and when they knew it cost GOP candidates at the polls.
Now, with sex and pages in the news on the Democrats’ watch, Pelosi appears to be trying to minimize the political fallout by bringing House Republican Leader John A. Boehner into the loop.
Pelosi and Boehner emerged from a meeting Thursday over allegations of sexual and criminal activity by pages with a rare joint statement directing the House Inspector General to conduct an independent investigation.
“We expect the Inspector General to gather the facts and recommend the appropriate and necessary corrective actions to be taken by the House,” they said. “We will also work together to select a highly regarded, independent entity to conduct a thorough review of the Page Program’s organization and operation, and make recommendations concerning its long-term future.”
The move follows reports that two pages engaged in oral sex in front of other pages at their Capitol Hill dormitory. The criminal allegations involve shoplifting. At least four pages have been sent home this year for misconduct.
It is the latest scandal to rock the page program, which brings high school juniors to Washington to run errands for lawmakers and their staffs, and to learn about the inner workings of government.
The allegations came to light last week when the two Republican members of the House Page Board resigned. Reps. Shelly Moore Capito of West Virginia and Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida said they were not promptly informed of the incidents or the dismissals.
The Foley scandal of 2006, when the Florida Republican was found to be sending suggestive mesages to former male pages, helped Democrats regain control of Congress after a dozen years in the minority, and led the House to vote unanimously this year to reorganize and expand the Page Board.
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Comments
Just another sad and disgusting event under the Repupies and the fat man,Denny Hastert.
How do Repupies look in the mirror without vomiting Jerry White and Johnny D?????
Posted by: Raving Loon | December 13, 2007 9:56 AM
Loon, the Democrats are just as guilty if not even more guilty. It was a Democrat who actually slept with male pages.
What is interesting to note is that Foley sent messages to FORMER pages. Democrats just go after CURRENT pages.
Posted by: John D | December 13, 2007 11:33 AM
Let me get this straight - Johnny D. thinks it's OK for Foley to stalk pages AFTER they leave Congress - it's not OK if they are CURRENTLY pages.
Oh, and Johnny - notice how Pelosi responded to this right after it happened - unlike Denny and the GOP, who kept it hidden for a year or so.
Posted by: BobinATL | December 13, 2007 12:45 PM
Better include the White House young female intern program as well. Now, who could be called as witnesses? Pizza and cigars anyone?
Posted by: J. Monroe | December 13, 2007 2:06 PM
Pelosi and Boehner are taking all the fun out of the republicans favorite passtime, sexual and criminal activity!!!
No wonder Denny quit.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | December 13, 2007 2:43 PM
"THE BOEHNER SPEAKS"
MEANWHILE CHERTOF CLAIMS CONGRESS "organizational Churn" is impeeding on his ability to CONSOLIDATE CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.
SO HE CAN TELL JOE LIEBERMAN, AND FRED THOMPSON, WELL WE PULLED IT OFF.
THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS IN CONTROL OF BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE. AND NOW THAT HE HAS ENDED CONGRESS' "organizational churn" he can now say PAPERS PLEASE!
911 solved! IT HAPPENED SO JOE LIEBERMAN, FRED THOMPSON COULD CREATE HOMELAND SECURITY ON BEHALF OF ISRAEL - TO CONSOLIDATE CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT AND GIVE UNTO HIM YOUR NATIONALITY, YOUR ETHNICITY AND YOUR MONETARY WAY OF LIFE IN AMERICA.
READ S BILL 1639 AMERICA!
CHERTOF IS!
Posted by: Roger Morris | December 13, 2007 3:20 PM
"Better include the White House young female intern program as well. Now, who could be called as witnesses? Pizza and cigars anyone?"
Posted by: J. Monroe | December 13, 2007 2:06 PM
I think it's kool that Clinton banged that little hag. I'd still vote for him!
Posted by: Dominos | December 13, 2007 4:29 PM
If elected Rudy Giuliani will return sexual liasons in Washington DC back to their proper place - The White House.
He has the experience, he has the track record.
Giuliani 2008
Posted by: Judith Nathan | December 13, 2007 5:42 PM
I think it's kool that Clinton banged that little...
Posted by: Dominos
_____________________________
Ooohh. That's gonna get you a gong.
Posted by: rncbs | December 13, 2007 6:00 PM
Domino,
The amazing thing is not that he "banged" her; but that no alchohl was involved.
Posted by: Terry | December 13, 2007 7:11 PM
Domino,
The amazing thing is not that he "banged" her; but that no alchohl was involved.
Posted by: Terry | December 13, 2007 7:11 PM
The amazing thing is you almost spelled alcohol correctly!
Posted by: Dominos | December 14, 2007 11:57 AM