California Republican Faces Ethics Investigation Over High Speed Rail

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Valadao family dairy farm. Pic courtesy of www.fresnobee.com.
Valadao family dairy farm. Pic courtesy of www.fresnobee.com.

Yet another Republican lawmaker finds himself in the sights of a congressional ethics watchdog.  A California congressman who spent a lot of time criticizing a proposed high speed rail line because it would reduce the value of property he owns might be investigated for ethics violations.

Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) failed to inform his colleagues that he has a financial interest in the rail line, which would run through property owned by the lawmaker’s family.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) renewed its request for an investigation Monday after Valadao, who made the organization’s most corrupt list, testified earlier this month in opposition to the rail project during a hearing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

It seems that a number of opponents of the high-speed rail line have claimed that it would reduce their property values.  Valdao’s family operates Valadao Dairy, which owns hundreds of prime acreage along the proposed route just south of Fresno.

Valadao told the congressional committee that the project was too costly and would have a negative impact on farms and businesses in his district, CREW said, noting that House members may not sponsor legislation or participate in committee proceedings when their own financial interests are involved.

“It seems Rep. Valadao is no more familiar with House ethics rules now than he was six months ago when he first violated them,” said Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW. “As he continues to flout his obligation to inform his colleagues of his financial conflict of interest, it is all the more urgent that the Office of Congressional Ethics conduct a full investigation.”

The group filed its original complaint against Valadao in July after he successfully offered an amendment that would have required the federal Surface Transportation Board to approve the rail project in its entirety rather than allowing incremental approval of new segments.

That amendment could have derailed the entire project if it was passed into law, said the chairman of the high-speed rail authority board.

“Rep. Valadao’s continued advocacy for policies that benefit his own bottom line is seedy, but perhaps unsurprising as it appears to be consequence-free,” Sloan said.  Then again, that is about to change it seems.

About Post Author

Hunter Steele

Colonel Steele is a retired military officer with a deep and abiding interest in history and politics. His views are often considered controversial but his thoughts and observations have been echoed in various publications.
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Admin
10 years ago

This doesn’t surprise me one bit. Someone needs to nail this dick.

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