[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          HOUSE RESOLUTION 394

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 24, 1994

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I voted against House Resolution 394. This 
resolution expressed the sense of the U.S. House of Representatives 
that Congress has a constitutional obligation to conduct oversight of 
matters related to the operation of the Federal Government. The 
Constitution grants Congress extensive authority to oversee and 
investigate executive branch activities. We should thoroughly, 
aggressively, and diligently investigate allegations of wrongdoing, 
mismanagement, and abuse of power.
  However, I do not agree that our oversight role should be used 
simultaneously in a situation where a special prosecutor has been 
appointed, an investigation is ongoing and a grand jury is sitting to 
receive testimony. It seems to me that for Congress to conduct an 
oversight hearing in that kind of circumstance not only unnecessarily 
duplicates efforts, but also endangers the investigation of the special 
prosecutor. Many people may recall that in the Iran-Contra 
investigation Congress intervened with its own investigation. 
Unfortunately the testimony given by witnesses at those hearings 
actually jeopardized and tarnished the criminal indictments that the 
special prosecutor was able to bring against administration officials 
who violated the law.
  I think we should have learned our lesson from Iran-Contra. If we 
intervene before the special prosecutor is able to conclude his 
investigation, we may interfere with those results. I think it is 
better that we stay our hand until the special prosecutor has been able 
to perform his job.

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