House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is giving support to New Jersey Rep. Robert Andrews despite the ethics charges he faces.
The House Ethics Committee is investigating whether he used campaign funds for family trips.
But a spokesman for Pelosi said she doesn’t plan to ask Andrews to abandon his post as co-chairman of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee,
The Hill reports. Pelosi appointed him to that position last year when the Ethics panel was engaged in the beginning of its probe.
Other House Democratic leaders, including Whip Steny Hoyer and Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra also are backing Andrews. “You’re not going to convict somebody just because there’s an allegation. That’s not America,” Hoyer said, according to The Hill.
Some Democrats say Andrews is benefiting from a double standard.
A chief of staff for a member of the Congressional Black Caucus told The Hill that House leaders weren’t nearly as supportive when black House members, including Rep. Charles Rangel, N.Y., were the subject of ethics charges.
The House Ethics Committee also is investigating whether GOP Rep. Don Young of Alaska violated House rules by failing to report gifts on his annual financial disclosure forms and by lying to federal officials.
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