[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 50 (Wednesday, April 29, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H2444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    REPUBLICANS EITHER DEFENDING THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY OR ATTACKING 
            DEMOCRATS ON THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE INVESTIGATION

  (Mr. WAXMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, there is an interesting intersection today 
very visible in the comments on the Republican side of the aisle. They 
are talking about two issues. They are either defending the tobacco 
industry or they are trying to attack Democrats on the campaign finance 
investigation.
  Mr. Speaker, they want to speak for the tobacco industry because they 
have received millions of dollars in campaign contributions from that 
industry and refuse to investigate the corrupting influence of that 
industry on some of the official actions of their own leadership.

                              {time}  1030

  They are criticizing Democrats for not participating in what has 
clearly been a reckless, partisan investigation in which the gentleman 
from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the chairman of the committee, has abused 
his powers. These are not just my words. These are the words of The 
Hill newspaper today which declares we have ``A Chairman Out of 
Control.''
  I am pleased Speaker Gingrich is now focusing attention on the Burton 
committee. He did not respond to our letters asking for a joint 
investigation. He ought to now debate these issues, and I challenge him 
to come forward and debate whether this investigation and his role in 
tobacco deserves further scrutiny.

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