Often a prison sentence is the only term limit members of Congress have. That fact of life reappeared today as former Florida Congresswoman Corrine Brown –who served in elected office continuously for 35 years — was convicted on 18 federal fraud charges.
At the center of Brown’s crimes was a false charity she created called “One Door for Education,” which was intended to provide scholarships to underprivileged kids. Instead, One Door became a pass-through to lavish Congresswoman Brown with private jet rides, luxury boxes at NFL games, Beyonce concert parties, high-end shopping sprees and direct ATM cash.
Federal prosecutors showed that One Door took in over $800,000 from donors between 2012 and 2016, while only paying out one measely scholarship for $1,200.
Brown was ultimately convicted on wire fraud, mail fraud, engaging in a scheme to hide facts, corruptly obstructing tax laws and filing false income tax returns for several years.
While committing these crimes, Brown continued to run for Congress on the slogan of “Corrine Delivers” and be re-elected with between 60 and 70 percent of the vote. Her incumbency was so powerful that she’d often run unopposed. Even while under indictment, Brown almost won her 2016 primary, taking in 39 percent of the vote.
Unsurprisingly, Brown voted AGAINST congressional term limits whenever she had the chance.
As Brown awaits sentencing, we have to ask ourselves a big question:
How much longer are we going to put up with this?
How much longer are we going to let career politicians tout their wisdom while failing to solve any problems?
How much longer are we going to let them tout their ‘public service’ while building corruption empires behind the scenes?
Congress shouldn’t get away with this for another minute. The endless corruption in Washington will continue unless we pass a strong constitutional amendment for term limits.
Term limits would deprive Congress members of the decades in Washington they need to build power and monetize their offices. It would restore a citizen legislature where people come to Washington for a short time before returning to live as private citizens.