[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 46 (Thursday, April 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E707-E708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          ATTORNEY GENERAL RENO: DEFENDING THE POWERS THAT BE

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                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 17, 1997

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to draw your attention to the 
following editorial from a major newspaper that serves the Capital 
District region of my home State of New York, the Times-Union. It deals 
with a subject with which I've been paying a great deal of attention, 
and that's the fundraising activities of the Democrat National 
Committee and the Clinton White House. It's no longer any secret that 
the open-ended dealings of the White House in attracting large sums of 
campaign cash may have led to violations of national security, breaches 
of classified information, changes in U.S. foreign policy, and economic 
espionage, not to mention the violation of a

[[Page E708]]

whole slew of laws related to campaign fundraising, the activities of 
Federal employees, the use of Federal property, and the expenditure of 
Federal tax dollars.
  I've investigated and monitored this situation with such zeal since 
last October, not because of any partisan interest, but because of my 
genuine concern for this country's security, especially when a foreign 
power like China, under a Communist government I have viewed with 
distrust for many years based on a wide variety of policies, is being 
investigated for actively trying to infiltrate our political system for 
their own gain. In any other administration, Mr. Speaker, no matter who 
was in the White House, or the Justice Department for that matter, 
there came a point where politics were cast aside for the best 
interests of the country. Tragically, that line has been blurred, if 
not erased, as a great deal of the fundraising activities that may have 
compromised American business and security interests were condoned, and 
even orchestrated, by the Clinton administration.
  But, I know and have known all along, that in order to prevent the 
entire controversy from being lost and consumed in the shadows and 
barbs of partisan politics, and independent prosecutor was necessary. 
Mr. Speaker, there are a few moments in history where a particular 
person in power or in public service will make a decision that will be 
judged over time as either a monumental stand for what is right and 
just, or as cow-towing to the powers that be. I fear Attorney General 
Reno has had her moment and the powers that be are smiling.

                 [From the Times-Union, Apr. 16, 1997]

                        Janet Reno, Wrong Again

       U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno was wrong to resist 
     previous calls to appoint a special prosecutor to look into 
     widening allegations surrounding President Clinton's campaign 
     last year. She was wrong again on Monday, when she rejected, 
     for a fourth time, a similar entreaty.
       Ms. Reno's explanation for sticking to her position grows 
     weaker by the day. She continues to insist that there is 
     still no credible evidence of possible criminal wrongdoing by 
     any of the high government officials who are covered under 
     the special prosecutor statute. She argues the Justice 
     Department is capable of handling the inquiry.
       There are at least two reasons why a special prosecutor is 
     warranted now. One is the accumulation of charges that point 
     to possible criminal wrongdoing at the White House level. The 
     now infamous ``coffees'' may have violated federal 
     prohibitions against fund raising on federal property. So 
     might Vice President Gore's phone solicitations. The trail of 
     Asian money may have influenced Clinton administration policy 
     on China and Taiwan. Government phones and credit cards may 
     have been improperly used.
       Each day, it seems, more allegations come forth, to the 
     point where the public is now so overwhelmed by the charges 
     and countercharges that only a credible, outside 
     investigation can clear the air.
       The second reason for Ms. Reno to act is even more 
     compelling: To avoid the appearance that she is reluctant to 
     turn on Mr. Clinton after he agreed to keep her on for his 
     second term.
       It is no secret that Ms. Reno had earned Mr. Clinton's 
     disfavor with her readiness to appoint special prosecutors 
     during his first term. It seemed apparent that she would 
     remain on the Clinton team only if she promised to change her 
     ways. Could this be the reason she has once again rebuffed a 
     call for an independent inquiry?
       There is only one way for the attorney general to give a 
     reassuring answer to that question. By doing the right thing, 
     and calling for a special prosecutor.

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