[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 7 (Wednesday, February 2, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       WHITEWATER/MADISON UPDATE

  Mr. D'AMATO addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New York.
  Mr. D'AMATO. Madam President, I think I took about 10 minutes, and I 
wish to again thank the Senator from Massachusetts for his graciousness 
in permitting me to make my remarks. The Senator from Arkansas 
responded. I would like to, if I might, not impose but more than 
several more minutes because I think it is important that I respond to 
some issues my colleague raised.
  Let me say there is no one who has greater respect for the special 
counsel than I do. Bob Fiske is a man of great integrity, proven 
integrity, and I have all the faith in the world he is going to conduct 
his investigation as it should be, and in manner second to none. But 
that is a criminal investigation. It is not an investigation into 
possible civil liability. It is the duty of the RTC to recover moneys 
that possibly may be due to taxpayers as a result of fraud or other 
activities, covered by the relevant civil statutes.
  Second, my good friend, the Senator from Arkansas, pointed out 
correctly that this investigation may not be completed for up to 3 
years, 2 years, 1 year, and no one questions that deliberate process. 
In no way do we intend to impede that. But we do have a right to ask 
the RTC what they are doing, how they are proceeding, what elements do 
they see that are involved in this matter, critical to both the 
possible recovery of taxpayer dollars, and to having this matter 
disposed of before the cutoff time.
  What does the ``statute of limitations'' mean? The average person 
does not know. It means that after a particular date, even if there is 
evidence of egregious action, where taxpayers' money was squandered due 
to fraud, that you can no longer recover. If, indeed, that date is the 
28th and we have 26 days to go, let me suggest to you that the special 
prosecutor, who is not interested in the civil side, who is not 
undertaking any of these questions, certainly is not going to be able 
to help with a report 2 years from now.
  Now, we ask, are they getting a tolling agreement? We have a right to 
know. They do this in other cases. And I would suggest to you that I am 
going to continue to press until the RTC and the appropriate 
authorities give us the responsive answers to which we are entitled. I 
will not attempt to delay the proceedings of the Senate now or at any 
other time inordinately and without a compelling reason. I think I have 
spoken for about 3 or 4 minutes in response to my friend from Arkansas. 
I do not intend to debate any longer. But the question is not the 
integrity of Bob Fiske. The question is the responsiveness, or lack of 
response, by the appropriate agencies to questions that the American 
people have a right to have answered.
  There are two different scenarios, two different areas. We are 
talking about a civil remedy pursuant to the law that should be 
evaluated, and if necessary undertaken, by the RTC before the statute 
of limitations is tolled.
  I thank my friends for their patience and my colleague and friend 
from Missouri for giving me this opportunity to make that response.

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