Press Releases

DCCC Press

Sep 20, 2005

Rep. Mark Foley: Tom DeLay's Latest Crony of the Week

Foley Takes Thousands of Dollars in Campaign Cash from DeLay; Puts National Party and DeLay Ahead of Florida Families

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced that Florida Congressman Mark Foley (FL-16) is the newest Tom DeLay "Crony of the Week." Foley was named "Crony of the Week" for loyally toeing the party line and always following his ethically challenged leader, Tom DeLay, in Congress. Congressman Foley will be featured for his cronyism for the next seven days on the DCCC's website: Tom DeLay’s House of Scandal (www.houseofscandal.org). Mark Foley plays follow-the-leader, in this case with Republican leader Tom DeLay, on nearly every issue. In fact, Foley is so closely allied with DeLay that he votes with him 89% of the time including dozens of measures that have hurt Florida families. Congressman Foley has also taken thousands of dollars in campaign cash from DeLay – yet another sign that he fights for Tom DeLay and the special interests and not Florida.

Floridians can learn the truth about Mark Foley, by logging on to the DCCC's website, www.dccc.org or www.houseofscandal.org. Here's a glance at what voters in Foley's district will see when they look into his record:

  • Mark Foley has taken more than $8,500 from DeLay’s political action committee, ARMPAC [www.tray.com].
  • Foley voted against immediate relief at the pump and a stop to gas price gouging. In 2005, Foley voted against an energy plan that would bring immediate relief to consumers at the pump, increase the nation’s investment into renewable fuels and energy efficiency and crack down on price gouging. This vote was also against a measure that would have, directed the Federal Trade Commission and Attorney General to exercise vigorous oversight over the oil markets to protect the American people from price gouging and unfair practices at the gasoline pump. [H.R. 6, Roll Call #118, 4/20/05]
  • Foley puts partisan politics ahead of the 16th District of Florida – Foley voted with DeLay 89% of the time since 1995 [www.cq.com].
  • Mark Foley voted to weaken the House Ethics rules in a move that many say served only to protect Tom DeLay. Recently, House Republicans including Foley voted to restore the House ethics process -- but only after an enormous public outcry [H Res 5, Roll Call #6, 1/4/05 and H Res 241, Roll Call #145, 4/27/05].
  • Tom DeLay has been admonished a record three times by the House Ethics Committee for his unethical behavior, and will likely face the committee yet again -- meanwhile, Mark Foley continues to stand by his leader. "While Congressman Mark Foley has lined up behind his ethically challenged leader, Tom DeLay, Florida families have had to line up for the most expensive gas ever," said Bill Burton, communications director of the DCCC. "It is long past time that Floridians had a Member of Congress who put their needs and their values in front of partisanship and support for the special interests. Mark Foley should spend less time fighting for Tom DeLay and more time fighting for Florida."

    For more information about Tom DeLay, Mark Foley and their ties to other ethically challenged individuals, visit our website, found at www.houseofscandal.org, or at www.dccc.org.

    The truth about Mark Foley's ties to Tom DeLay:

    1 Contributions from ARMPAC: www.tray.com $8,531

    2 Voting percentage with DeLay: calculated through: www.cq.com 89%

    3 Vote to weaken ethics rules: H Res. 5, Roll Call #6, 1/4/05 YES

    4 Vote to repeal weakened ethics rules: H Res. 241, Roll Call #145, 4/27/05 YES

    5 Vote to table Democratic solution: H. Res. 153, Roll Call #70, 3/15/05 YES