Nader Group Seeks Lott Ethics Probe


Updated 7:19 PM ET May 22, 2000
By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - A watchdog group affiliated with Ralph Nader asked the Senate Ethics Committee on Monday to investigate Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott.

Citing newspaper reports, the Congressional Accountability Project asked the ethics panel to assess whether Lott, R-Miss., pressured high-tech lobbyists for contributions to a nonprofit group in attempt to assist the re-election efforts of Sen. Spencer Abraham, R-Mich.

Abraham is sponsoring a bill supported by the lobbyists that would allow 297,500 more visas for skilled foreign workers to enter the country and work in U.S. companies. High-tech firms say there is a shortage of qualified American workers and they need immigrants to fill the positions.

The nonprofit group, Americans for Job Security, stepped up for Abraham after a series of ads criticized him and the visa legislation. The group responded with ads in Michigan defending Abraham and criticizing his challenger, Democratic Rep. Debbie Stabenow.

"The heart of the matter here is whether Senate Majority Leader Lott corruptly put legislative action up for sale and engaged in an advanced form of arm-twisting," Gary Ruskin, the Nader group's director, said in the complaint. "This renting of influence and abuse of power, if true, subverts the democratic process."

Victor Baird, chief counsel for the Senate Ethics Committee, said ethics investigations are confidential and committee members and staff cannot even confirm that they received a complaint.

Lott's spokesman, John Czwartacki, has denied that the senator did anything unethical.

"These charges are baseless, politically motivated and have no merit," he said.

According e-mails obtained by The Washington Post, The Associated Press and other news organizations, some lobbyists appeared to believe that if they didn't donate to Americans for Job Security, the visa bill would not move.

"I have heard that regardless of our `limitations,' we need to do something for Abraham if we want to see something moved in the Senate," one lobbyist wrote.

Spokesmen for Lott and Abraham have said the senators have long been supporters of increasing the number of visas and denied that donations were tied to the bill.