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Doolittle to take leave from Appropriations panel |
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By Jeremy Jacobs
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Posted: 04/19/07 03:19 PM [ET] |
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Following the revelation that the FBI searched his Virginia home in connection to an investigation of himself and his wife, Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.) Thursday requested a “temporary leave of absence” from his seat on the Appropriations Committee. “I understand how the most recent circumstances may lead some to question my tenure on the Appropriations Committee,” Doolittle said in a letter to Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio). “Therefore, I feel it may be in the best interest of the House that I take a temporary leave with seniority from this Committee until this matter can be resolved.” The FBI searched his Oakton, Va., house last week as part of an investigation of Doolittle and his wife, Julie. Doolittle’s former chief of staff, Kevin Ring, resigned Friday from his position at lobbying firm Barnes and Thornburg. Ring is suspected of playing a role in Abramoff’s hiring of Doolittle’s wife while he was working with Abramoff at Greenberg Traurig, a D.C. law firm. “I accept John’s decision and appreciate his willingness to take this step, which is in the best interest of the House and the American people,” Boehner said. “John recognizes that if we are to succeed in restoring trust between the American people and their elected leaders, this action is necessary, and I commend him for having the courage to do the right thing.” |
