For Immediate Release February 10, 2006
Contact: Jen Saunders, Public Relations Chair
E-mail: pr@nyyrc.com

THE NEW YORK YOUNG REPUBLICAN CLUB, INC. CALLS SENATOR HARRY REID TO HOLD HIMSELF ACCOUNTABLE

New York, NY - The New York Young Republican Club, Inc. (NYYRC) calls on Senator Harry Reid, who has been blasting Republican ties to Jack Abramoff, to come clean regarding his own involvement with Abramoff's clients.

Though Reid has denied direct involvement with Abramoff, recent records obtained by the Associated Press show that Reid received donations from clients of Abramoff who had interest in matters Reid was voting on. NYYRC President Dennis Cariello remarked "Senator Reid can't have it both ways. Either he is guilty of the same thing he is accusing Republicans of, or the Republicans are innocent on the same grounds he is using to claim innocence."

President Cariello stated, "Senator Reid is trying to claim his hands are clean because he did not take money directly from Abramoff, but this misses the point. Personal donations are not the issue, but rather the money from Abramoff's clients timed with key legislation." President Cariello continued, "This is a typical Democrat maneuver‹they are criticizing Republicans in an effort to gloss over their own actions."

The New York Young Republican Club feels that any investigations into Abramoff donations should include Senator Reid as well and urges New York Senators Clinton and Schumer to hold their leader accountable for his connections to Abramoff. President Cariello also called on the Senate and House to embrace reform proposals that would eliminate the current process of "earmarks" as well as prohibit privately-paid travel for legislators.

The New York Young Republican Club, Inc., is a not-for-profit political organization that exists to bring Republicans aged 18-40 together to discuss the Republican Party platform and aid the Republican Party in the education of the public about the Republican agenda and the promotion of Republican candidates for office. To find out more about the New York Young Republican Club, Inc. please visit the Website at http://www.nyyrc.com.