[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 23 (Monday, March 7, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION

  (Mr. GINGRICH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks and to include extraneous 
matter.)
  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to put in the Record three 
letters. One is a letter to Attorney General Janet Reno concerning 
Associate Attorney General Webster Hubbell, suggesting that given all 
of the recent allegations that he be suspended pending a thorough 
investigation, since he is currently the acting No. 2 person in the 
Justice Department.
  The other two letters are letters to yourself and the majority 
leader, Mr. Gephardt, simply suggesting that on a bipartisan basis, 
with all of the events of the last week about Whitewater and about 
various concerns potentially involving obstruction of justice and 
subpoenas being delivered to the White House and the Treasury 
Department, that it be useful on a bipartisan basis to try to sort out 
what hearings need to be held, what subpoena powers need to be created 
for the committees, and also to report to you and to Mr. Gephardt on 
certain problems that involve getting information from the General 
Accounting Office and in other areas.

                              {time}  1210

  It does seem to me there is a legitimate public interest in our 
exploring in a formal, official way in the legislative branch the 
recent allegations, and so I simply am submitting these letters as a 
first step toward having a bipartisan effort to hold fair hearings in a 
fair way.
  The letters follow:

         Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, 
           Office of the Republican Whip,
                                    Washington, DC, March 4, 1994.
     Hon. Janet Reno,
     Attorney General of the United States,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Attorney General Reno: I am becoming increasingly 
     concerned about recent media reports regarding Associate 
     Attorney General Webster Hubbell which allege that he was 
     involved in the situation relating to Whitewater.
       With the vacancy created by the resignation of Deputy 
     General Philip Heymann, Mr. Hubbell has become the second 
     highest ranking official in the Department of Justice. Given 
     the growing swirl of accusations surrounding Mr. Hubbell's 
     involvement in the Whitewater matter, I believe it is best 
     for all parties involved, including Mr. Hubbell, that his 
     involvement in all operational responsibilities in the 
     Justice Department be suspended until such time as those 
     allegations are resolved.
       Thank you very much.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Newt Gingrich.
                                  ____

         Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, 
           Office of the Republican Whip,
                                    Washington, DC, March 4, 1994.
     Hon. Richard Gephardt,
     Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Dick. I am becoming increasingly troubled about the 
     growing swirl of media reports surrounding the events related 
     to the Whitewater investigation and the involvement of key 
     Administration officials in them. Events are unfolding at a 
     pace which makes it all the more imperative that the Congress 
     carry out its Congressional oversight function. It is a 
     matter of great concern to me that, despite repeated 
     requests, no hearings have been held in the House of 
     Representatives relating to the events surrounding the 
     Whitewater situation.
       The time for us to begin to rectify this situation and 
     exercise our responsibility is long overdue. I respectfully 
     request that you convene a bipartisan Congressional 
     leadership meeting as soon as possible early next week so 
     that we can begin discussing how best we can fulfill our 
     Constitutional obligations.
       Thank you very much. I look forward to your expeditious 
     response.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Newt Gingrich.
                                  ____

         Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, 
           Office of the Republican Whip,
                                    Washington, DC, March 4, 1994.
     Hon. Thomas Foley,
     Speaker, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Speaker: I am becoming increasingly troubled about 
     the growing swirl of media reports surrounding the events 
     related to the Whitewater investigation and the involvement 
     of key Administration officials in them. Events are unfolding 
     at a pace which makes it all the more imperative that the 
     Congress carry out its Congressional oversight function. It 
     is a matter of great concern to me that, despite repeated 
     requests, no hearings have been held in the House of 
     Representatives relating to the events surrounding the 
     Whitewater situation.
       The time for us to begin to rectify this situation and 
     exercise our responsibility is long overdue. I respectfully 
     request that you convene a bipartisan Congressional 
     leadership meeting as soon as possible early next week so 
     that we can begin discussing how best we can fulfill our 
     Constitutional obligations.
       Thank you very much. I look forward to your expeditious 
     response.
           Sincerely,
     Newt Gingrich.

                          ____________________