Sali rebuked by Idaho rival
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 10:44 AM PDT
BOISE (AP) — U.S. Rep. Bill Sali’s absence at House hearings this week where lawmakers grilled financial industry executives about the causes of America’s financial crisis drew criticism Tuesday from his Democratic challenger Walt Minnick.
Sali, R-Idaho and a House Oversight Committee member, countered that the hearings on American International Group, Inc., and bankrupt investment bank Lehman Brothers were politically motivated ‘‘sideshows’’ that didn’t merit attendance.
The committee Tuesday rebuked AIG’s former top executives for risky financial transactions that forced the insurer to take an $85 billion government loan that gives the U.S. an 80 percent stake.
A day earlier, lawmakers verbally flogged Richard S. Fuld Jr., the Lehman chief executive who was paid $350 million between 2000 and 2007.
Sali was among more than a dozen lawmakers from both parties who didn’t attend the hearings.
On Tuesday eight of 23 Democratic members skipped the session, while 12 of 18 Republicans were absent. Minnick said Sali’s absence shows the first-term GOP lawmaker from Kuna isn’t interested in learning the root causes of the Wall Street meltdown and is a further sign Sali is incapable of representing residents of Idaho’s 1st Congressional District in the western and northern parts of the state.
‘‘Skipping these hearings shows he just doesn’t care,’’ said John Foster, a spokesman for Minnick. On Monday, Sali attended a campaign fundraiser hosted by Republican state Sen. Russ Fulcher, among others. On Tuesday, he met with a newspaper editorial board in Nampa, spoke at a rally against domestic violence and was due to attend a town hall meeting. Another fundraiser was planned for Wednesday, according to Sali’s campaign calendar.
