"Hall of Shame" Follow-Up

The nonprofit organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, wants an ethics investigation of U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Texas, claiming the congressman violated House of Representatives rules when he berated a National Park Service ranger who was “just doing her job” guarding the shuttered World War II memorial.

CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan sent a letter to the House Office of Congressional Ethics calling for an investigation of Neugebauer. “Obviously, the Park Police employee had no role whatsoever in the decision to shut down the federal government.

“Instead, as is well recognized, the shutdown was forced by members of the House of Representatives, including Rep. Neugebauer, who have refused to vote for a resolution to fund government operations unless the president acquiesces to an ever-changing series of demands, the most recent of which was a delay in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.”

Sloan said the Texas congressman’s behavior violated House Rule 23. The provision requires House members to conduct themselves “at all times in a manner that reflects creditably on the House.

“Rep. Neugebauer abused his position as a member of the House by publicly assailing a federal employee who was acting in accordance with the will of the House. He also attempted to use his position to coerce the ranger to allow access to the memorial despite the fact that federal law requires its closure.”

CREW asked that the incident involving Neugebauer be forwarded to the House Ethics Committee “for appropriate action.”

What more can be said.

[Follow-Up to original article:  Welcome to the Hall of Shame.]