Rep. Heath Shuler Calls for Jefferson Resignation

At least one Democrat is serious about cleaning up the culture of corruption. Freshman Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC) has called for Rep. William Jefferson to resign his seat:

Earlier this week Representative William Jefferson of Louisiana was indicted on 16 criminal counts including bribery, racketeering, obstruction of justice, and using his office to solicit bribes.

The charges that have been filed against Mr. Jefferson are extremely serious. Of course in our legal system Mr. Jefferson is considered innocent until proven guilty in the court of law. However, the leaders of our Nation are held, and should be held, to higher standards. It is imperative that the people of the United States know that their elected representatives are not abusing their power or the public trust.

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Mr. Jefferson’s guilt or innocence in a court of law will take months and possibly years to be finally decided. It is remarkably unfair for the people of his district to be forced to wait for that court decision until they can once again have effective representation.


Therefore, I strongly believe that for the good of this Institution, for the good of our Nation, and for the good of the people of the Louisiana’s 2nd District, Mr. Jefferson should resign his seat immediately.

While a court of law may take a while to decide, the court of public opinion is ready to hang Jefferson out to dry. Rightfully so, and if Nancy Pelosi were serious about ending the culture of corruption, you would think she would be making the same calls as some freshman Representative.

But Nancy Pelosi is only serious about ending the Republican culture of corruption, not the Congressional culture of corruption.