SLF supporters knew 4 months ago

August 13, 2002

ATLANTA: The Southeastern Legal Foundation today confirmed reports by several major media outlets, including today's edition of The Washington Post, that U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) continues to receive strong financial support from individuals with direct ties to radical Islamic terrorist organizations.

"SLF supporters knew four months ago when we released our research into Ms. McKinney's outrageous political fundraising - she is the 'go-to' in Congress for radical Islamic, anti-American causes," said Phil Kent, SLF President. "Today, we reiterate our request to congressional leaders that she should be suspended from her sensitive committee assignments on the House International Affairs and Armed Services Committees pending investigation into her fundraising ties."

On April 12 this year, SLF released a letter to the U.S. House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, requesting the Ms. McKinney be sanctioned for conduct unbecoming a member of Congress for her unfounded accusations of treason against President George W. Bush. On April 16, released a list of suspect contributors to her campaign, including Abdurahman Alamoudi, the founder and former executive director of the American Islamic Council.

On April 22, SLF released a letter to House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO), requesting that Ms. McKinney be suspended from her committee assignments, on which she receives classified briefings on U.S. anti-terrorism efforts. To date, Mr. Gephardt refuses to respond, although his office has acknowledged receipt of the SLF letter. On May 16, SLF published an op-ed slamming Ms. McKinney for her cavalier attitude toward dozens of suspect political contributions.

"Ms. McKinney's contributions from radical Islamic individuals coincides with her nationally reported claims that President Bush personally knew about the September 11 attacks beforehand and did nothing to prevent them, and that members of the Bush administration are profiting from the war on terrorism," said Kent. "Congress must investigate this potential quid pro quo, and they must do it sooner rather than later - national security requires it."

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