Democrats charge GOP has corrupted Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) Democrats accused Republican congressional leaders of corrupting the government, claiming on Saturday that their party has higher ethical standards.

“Under Republican guidance, America has truly been put up for sale to the highest bidder,” Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., said in her party's weekly radio address.

Congress was consumed this week by the corruption scandal around lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty and is cooperating in a wide-ranging probe that could involve up to 20 members of Congress and their aides.

Politicians from both parties have rushed to unload donations from Abramoff or his clients, while others have decided to keep such donations, insisting they did nothing wrong.

Slaughter painted the Abramoff case and an earlier guilty plea by former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, R-Calif., as part of a broader pattern of misconduct by Republicans under the sway of highly paid lobbyists.

“Sadly, the legacy of Republican rule has been the fundamental degradation of our democratic institutions and the abandonment of our core principles,” Slaughter said.

“Lobbyists are now writing the bills passed by Congress,” she contended. “They have infiltrated every aspect of our government. Their money and donations shape the opinions of corrupt lawmakers in a way that public opinion no longer does.”

Slaughter said the unethical influence of lobbyists has affected everything from the Iraq war to energy policy to the new Medicare prescription drug plan.

The 10-term congresswoman said her party will “uphold the highest standards of integrity.”

Repeating a Democratic tag line, Slaughter said, “Together, America can do better.”