Rep. John Doolittle (R-California) gave up his seat on the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, less than a week after FBI agents raided his Virginia home.

Doolittle is linked to three investigations. One involves his wife, who received a cut of every campaign contribution she raised for him; another involves potential favors for convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and the third involves a former Defense contractor who was indicted on bribery charges.

Doolittle has defended Abramoff and took actions to help Abramoff's tribal clients. He pressed the Interior Department to reopen a casino for the Meskwaki Tribe of Iowa and inserted comments into the Congressional record that praised the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

Get the Story:
Congressman Quits Panel After Raid (The Washington Post 4/20)
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Lawmaker Tied to Inquiries Gives Up Seat on Committee (The New York Times 4/20)
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Doolittle off powerful panel (The Sacramento Bee 4/20)
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California Rep. Doolittle leaves House appropriations seat (The Los Angeles Times 4/20)
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Renzi's Business, Doolittle's House Searched; GOP Responds Quickly (Congressional Quarterly 4/19)

Relevant Links:
Rep. John Doolittle - http://www.house.gov/doolittle

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