FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 12, 2006

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi Announces ‘Clean House Team’ to Address Republican Culture of Corruption

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today announced the formation of the “Clean House Team,” a Democratic task force to address the Republican culture of corruption and lead the charge in restoring honor and dignity to the House of Representatives.   

The members of the Clean House Team are:

• Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina, the newly and unanimously elected Chairman of the Democratic Caucus who has lived his life with a commitment to a high ethical standard, will head the Clean House Team;   

• Congressman David Obey of Wisconsin, the Senior Democrat of the House Appropriations Committee and author of reform proposals to fight the growing lobbyist influence on Congress;

• Congressman Henry Waxman of California, the Senior Democrat on the Government Affairs Committee who has served as a long-time watchdog over Republican waste and abuse;

• Congresswoman Louise Slaughter of New York, the Senior Democrat on the Rules Committee who has long advocated a return to fair and democratic governance in the House;

• Congressman Marty Meehan of Massachusetts, the leader of the fight to reform our campaign finance system and the fight to reform lobbyist influence on Congress.

“It is long past time for the Congress to address the systemic Republican culture of corruption that has undermined the American people’s confidence in this institution,” Pelosi said.  “I am proud that some of the best minds in our Caucus will be leading the Democratic effort to clean up the corrupt Republican Congress.  These great leaders will work to restore truth and trust to the People’s House.”

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi