Treadwell Wants Gillibrand to Explain Ethics Position

Sandy Treadwell, Republican and Independence Party candidate for the 20^th Congressional District, called on Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, former special counsel to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to publically explain her position on ethics in Congress, following her vote to block a censure of Rep. Charles Rangel for his misuse of a rent-controlled apartment.

"People are tired of the special perks government officials receive, yet even when unethical actions are reported, Congress looks the other way," Treadwell said. "If Rep. Gillibrand believes it is right for a member of Congress to run a campaign office out of a rent-controlled apartment, she should state that position publically. Unfortunately, people are no longer surprised when Washington politicians receive special deals. I believe our constituents deserve better and question why Rep. Gillibrand is giving Congressman Rangel a free pass on ethics."

In early July, it was reported that Rep. Charles Rangel, who chairs the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, has four rent-controlled apartments, including one that he has used as a campaign office. A vote in the House yesterday defeated a resolution to censure Rep. Rangel for this preferential rent control deal.

In an editorial ("Mr. Rangel's Very Good Deal," July 12, 2008), the New York Times noted that "rent controlled apartments in New York City are supposed to be a way for the city to retain residents with moderate incomes," yet the congressman has a net worth of $566,000 to $1.2 million. It is estimated that the difference between Mr. Rangel's rent and the apartments' market value is more than $30,000 a year.

The Times further notes that rent controlled apartments "are very hard to get and even harder to keep" and that "in recent years, too many senior citizens or struggling families have been evicted from their apartments." Sandy Treadwell agrees with the conclusion that, "the stark unfairness here should be obvious."

Yet Kirsten Gillibrand apparently does not see any problems with Mr. Rangel's sweetheart deal and voted against censure. Claiming to be a proponent of change, she has voted to uphold the status quo of members receiving special privileges.

"We need to change not only the policies of Congress, but the attitude as well," Treadwell said. "Our government must be more responsive to the people and that means upholding the highest ethical standards."

On June 30, 2008, Congresswoman Gillibrand held a fundraiser with Rep. Rangel and Gov. David Paterson. Previously, she voted in support of a $1.9 million pork barrel project that created the "Congressman B. Rangel Center for Public Service," the "Rangel Conference Center," the "Charles Rangel Library," and a "well-furnished office for Charles Rangel" at City College of New York in Harlem - the congressman's district. This "Monument to Me" has been cited as a prime example of the need to reform the earmark process. Recent allegations also have arisen over Rep. Rangel using Congressional resources to solicit funds for this pork barrel project.

Treadwell has called for a one-year moratorium on earmark funding to review the system and institute changes that will ensure taxpayer funds are properly used.

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