[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 34 (Monday, March 17, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  APPOINTMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF 
                          ILLEGAL FUNDRAISING

  The Senate continued with the consideration of the joint resolution.
  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise today in support of Senate Joint 
Resolution 22, asking that an independent counsel be appointed to 
investigate the alleged illegal fundraising activities in the 1996 
Presidential campaign.
  It is in the best interest of both the Nation and the Congress that 
an independent counsel be appointed. In light of the continued severity 
of the allegations that arise on a nearly daily basis, this is the only 
way to properly investigate wrongdoing and prosecute where laws were 
broken. The requests for an independent counsel have been bipartisan. I 
have twice written Attorney General Janet Reno and asked that an 
independent counsel be appointed. To date, I have not received a reply.
  We need an independent counsel to supplement congressional hearings. 
Only an independent counsel has the power to bring charges against 
those alleged of breaking the law. Congress will investigate, as we 
should--that is our responsibility--but we need someone looking into 
this with the ability to prosecute.
  I also fear whether Congress will be able to bear the entire 
responsibility for investigating these alleged campaign finance abuses 
and still act on the important issues awaiting our attention. We were 
elected by the people to address the challenges facing America. We were 
elected to solve problems.
  As we look forward to the 21st century, America is faced with serious 
challenges. Domestically, we must come to terms with our Federal 
budgetary problems, our national debt, the burden of taxes and 
regulations, the threat of crime, the explosive growth projected in 
entitlement programs. Internationally, we need to reshape a foreign 
policy, a foreign policy that will guide us through the uncharted and 
potentially treacherous waters of the post-cold-war era. This is a time 
of great hope, a time of great promise for the world. The fulfillment 
of this hope and promise will come only if America demonstrates bold, 
imaginative leadership, leadership that seizes the moment.
  Determining the direction our Nation will take beyond the year 2000 
is a very critical debate, one that all the Nation should be involved 
with. The issues involved require and deserve the full attention of 
this body. We must not be held hostage by partisan bickering over 
campaign finance investigations and daily allegations of political 
wrongdoing.

  For example, Medicare's slide into bankruptcy will not wait for a 
determination of whether campaign finance laws were broken in last 
year's Presidential campaign. Action needs to be taken now to save 
Medicare, or America's seniors will pay the price.
  If we allow the poison of political retribution and revenge to 
dominate the Congress, we will never be able to work together on these 
very important issues. The congressional hearings are important. Surely 
they are important. Surely they must go forward. But we need to get to 
the bottom of this mess. At the same time, we cannot allow these 
hearings to overshadow the present challenges facing this body.
  Political leaders frequently express their dismay at the lack of 
confidence and trust the American people have in them and in all 
political institutions. However, we bring it on ourselves when the 
image we present to the American people is one of constant partisan 
wrangling and bitter accusations.
  When we allow our system to become polarized and paralyzed, the 
American people have to wonder who is on the job, who is looking out 
for their interests, who is governing America.
  The American people are tired of the lack of civility and the 
inflammatory rhetoric that too frequently dominate the political 
discourse in Washington. They are tired of the gridlock that results 
when both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue put political considerations 
before the Nation's business. The American people want action. They 
want their elected representatives to give their full attention to the 
challenges facing this country. They deserve nothing less.
  The destiny and legacy of our people is that we have always risen to 
meet the challenges put before us. As we lead America and the world 
into the 21st century, we must build on this legacy. Big challenges lie 
ahead. We fail our children and the children of the world if we allow 
ourselves to become bogged down in political intrigue and fail to 
address these important issues now.
  Criminal investigations should be taken out of politics. Prosecuting 
wrongdoing should be done without regard to politics. The Attorney 
General needs to appoint an independent counsel now.
  I thank the Chair and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Collins). The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Allard). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

                          ____________________