[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 110 (Wednesday, August 10, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          WHITE HOUSE SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

  (Mr. BURTON of Indiana asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today on the House floor and over 
the weekend, numerous Democrats have been complaining about the 
appointment of Mr. Starr as the new independent counsel. They have been 
raising all kinds of questions about political contributions he may 
have made.
  Well, Mr. Fiske made political contributions, as well.
  What they are not telling you is that Attorney General Janet Reno had 
Mr. Starr on the short list. He was one of the people that she 
considered previously for the special counsel position.
  What they are not telling you is the three-judge Federal panel 
contained a judge appointed by L.B.J., and there was a unanimous 
decision made to appoint Mr. Starr the independent counsel.
  The problem is there are many, many unanswered questions, and the 
Federal judges felt they were compelled to make a change. Mr. Frank 
indicated there was a secret letter that went to the judges. There was 
a letter sent by 10 Congressmen that had been made public and sent to 
the press. All he has to do is read the newspapers. I will give him a 
copy if he wants one.
  The problem with the Democrats on this floor and in the White House 
right now is they are very, very concerned that questions that have not 
been asked are going to be asked, and that Mr. Starr is going to do the 
job that he was appointed to do. The problem is this: If there is 
nothing to hide, then the White House should not be afraid to come 
forward and answer these questions.

                          ____________________