Jane Harman Scandal

The lead story in The New York Times today is titled, “Lawmaker is Said to Have Agreed to Aid Lobbyists.” It describes an effort by Representative Jane Harman of California to become Chairwoman of the House Intelligence Committee that involved standing up for pro-Israeli lobbyists under investigation by the Justice Department.

Apparently, these lobbyists asked Representative Harman to intervene with the Justice Department regarding a potential espionage case against them. In return, they offered to help her become Chairwoman of the Intelligence Committee by using a powerful friend to threaten to withhold campaign contributions against Speaker Pelosi unless she acquiesced.

Politics involves a lot wheeling-dealing and knowing where to draw the line is often a matter of discretion. Sometimes politicians become blinded because they live in a “bubble,” an ethos of Capitol Hill that involves continuing compromise and trade-offs.

Representative Harman has a long reputation of serious, committed work, and it’s a shame to see her career threatened by her support of Israeli lobbyists, whom she probably would have helped regardless of any “pay back.”

The Times broke this story, and it sounds like one of those involved chains of authority and command where a foot soldier inadvertently crosses the line. I hope Representative Harman is absolved of any wrongdoing because our country needs devoted lawmakers of her character.