Demand Frist Investigation TAF

We need your help to convince the Senate Ethics Committee that it should investigate Senator Bill Frist’s sale of stock in his family’s company. Common Cause has already written two letters (http://www.commoncause.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter2.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=686043) to the Ethics Committee requesting an investigation of Senator Frist’s sale of HCA, Inc. stock from his so-called “blind” trust. The Securities and Exchange Commission is already investigating whether Frist is guilty of insider trading because his family started HCA and his brother sits on the board of directors. According to the Ethics Committee, a “blind” trust means that there shall be no “direct or indirect communication” between senators and trustees unless the senator is directing the trustee “to sell all of an asset . . . [which] creates a conflict of interest … due to the subsequent assumption of duties” by the senator. http://ethics.senate.gov/downloads/pdffiles/trust.pdf There is an obvious conflict of interest that exists when a member of Congress has a large, personal financial stake in a specific company or industry that has a direct interest in legislation. For years, Senator Frist has held a large stake in HCA while working closely on legislation of interest to HCA. We need your help to ensure that this allegation concerning Senator Frist’s blind trust is properly and thoroughly investigated. Senate leaders need to hear from us today. Call their offices and demand that the Ethics Committee investigate Senator Frist’s stock sales: Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) Chairman, Senate Ethics Committee 202-224-3353 Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) Ranking Member, Senate Ethics Committee 202-224-5842 Please make these calls today. It is critical that the Senate Ethics Committee exercise effective oversight and enforcement of rules relating to the use of blind trusts in order to maintain public credibility and avoid conflicts of interest. Your actions do make a difference. Thank you!