FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 21, 2006

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

Pelosi Statement on Mollohan Decision to Temporarily Step Aside from Ethics Committee

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on Congressman Alan Mollohan's decision to temporarily step aside as ranking member of the Ethics Committee:

“Today I have accepted, at his request, the decision of Congressman Alan Mollohan to step aside temporarily as the ranking member of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.  Congressman Howard Berman, who previously served as the senior member of the Ethics Committee, has agreed to accept my appointment to return temporarily as ranking member. 

“Congressman Mollohan has served his constituents of the 1st district of West Virginia with great distinction for nearly 24 years, and I am confident he will continue to do so.  He has also provided steadfast leadership to the Ethics Committee during a period of Republican interference and inaction.  I have the highest regard for Mr. Mollohan’s service to the Congress, to his constituents, and to the Ethics Committee, and I look forward to his return to the committee. 

“The allegations against Congressman Mollohan originate from the National Legal and Policy Center, which engages in highly partisan attacks on Democrats.  These attacks are an attempt to deflect attention from the long list of Republican criminal investigations, indictments, plea agreements¸ and resignations that have resulted from the reported long-term and extensive criminal enterprise run out of House Republican leadership offices.  The Republican culture of corruption has been ignored by the Ethics Committee for a year and a half following the decision of the Republican leadership to fire their own chairman and some Committee members for doing their job. 

“Despite the source of these accusations, Mr. Mollohan today has made an honorable decision to step aside so that he can address the charges, and I commend him for his leadership.

“Congressman Berman has an excellent understanding of the Committee’s responsibilities and is highly regarded for his non-partisan and judicious leadership.  As his record on the Committee demonstrates, Mr. Berman is fully committed to an effective Ethics Committee that holds all Members of Congress to the highest ethical standards.”

“ 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