Recent events in Congress have brought an issue to the forefront. Democrats, who claim no moral superiority) have to resign when scandalized, even when their scandals violate neither laws nor congressional ethics. Republicans, on the other hand, who virtually always claim moral superiority, have to resign only when they are about to be expelled, even when their scandals violate both laws and congressional ethics. In other words, why is David Vitter (R-LA) still in office? Diaper Dave is in trouble yet again.

A watchdog group filed a complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee on Tuesday against Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) over allegations that he attempted to “bribe” the Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar. The complaint, filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), cites a letter that Vitter wrote to Salazar last month. In the letter Vitter said he would continue to oppose increasing Salazar’s paycheck by $19,600 until the secretary issued permits for new exploratory deepwater wells in the Gulf of Mexico. In a five-page letter to committee Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Vice Chairman Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), CREW’s executive director Melanie Sloan detailed the allegation of Vitter’s “quid pro quo” and recommended that the committee refer matters to the Justice Department if they found the senator guilty of wrongdoing. “Our country’s criminal laws apply to everyone, including senators,” said Sloan in the letter. “There is no exception to the bribery law allowing a senator to influence a department secretary’s official acts by withholding compensation.”… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <The Hill>

Here are CREW’s complaint and exhibits (PDF)

I’m not sure whether bribery or blackmail is the more apt description of Vitter’s crime, but the quid pro quo is self-evident.

Lawrence O’Donnell covers the story and discusses Vitter’s vote today against jobs for American workers.

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I ask again, why is David Vitter still in office?

These are the members of the Senate Ethics Committee.

Democrats Barbara Boxer, California, Chairman Mark L. Pryor, Arkansas Sherrod Brown, Ohio Republicans Johnny Isakson, Georgia, Vice Chairman Pat Roberts, Kansas James E. Risch, Idaho

If one is your Senator, call them and ask why.