[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 98 (Tuesday, July 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1368-E1369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      DEPOSITION AUTHORITY NEEDED FOR THE TEAMSTERS INVESTIGATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 21, 1998

  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce a resolution which 
provides for deposition authority for the Teamsters Investigation.
  The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is examining the 
failed 1996 election of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters 
(IBT) and related matters, including financial mismanagement at the 
union and possible manipulation of its pension fund.
  Although the investigation has established a good foundation, its 
progress is increasingly

[[Page E1369]]

slowed by the obstructionist tactics of the IBT, including the refusal 
to allow interviews of relevant witnesses. The Subcommittee and the 
Chairman of the full Committee have been forced to issue subpoenas for 
documents to fourteen organizations, most of whom refused to 
voluntarily provide information to the Subcommittee at the direction of 
the IBT. Subpoenas have also been issued to seven witnesses to secure 
their testimony at the Subcommittee's public hearings. Furthermore, the 
IBT has steadfastly refused, on numerous occasions over the last four 
months, to allow Subcommittee investigators to interview current IBT 
employees and employees of its actuarial and accounting firms. The IBT 
has even objected to the Subcommittee interviewing former IBT 
employees.
  To thoroughly and professionally investigate outstanding issues, the 
investigation needs the authority to have designated staff conduct 
depositions. There are up to three dozen witnesses whose testimony 
would substantially further the investigation and who may have to be 
deposed. Much of this would be lengthy, detailed questioning, which is 
not possible in a committee hearing. Some of it would also be very 
technical. Some of the depositions may have to be conducted after 
Congress adjourns for the year. All of it is needed if the 
investigation is to continue to make progress.
  I want to assure my colleagues that the authority granted through 
this resolution has safeguards to ensure that it is used appropriately. 
First, the authority is granted to the Chairman of the Full Committee, 
and it may be used only in connection with the Teamsters Investigation. 
Second, information obtained under deposition authority is considered 
as having been taken in executive session by the Subcommittee. That 
makes the information confidential and subject to the protocol under 
which the investigation is being conducted.
  Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Education and the Workforce will also 
adopt rules to ensure proper use of deposition authority. We will 
provide for bipartisan participation in depositions. The Ranking 
Minority member will receive three business days written notice before 
any deposition is taken, and all Members will receive three business 
days written notice that a deposition has been scheduled. Finally, our 
proposed committee rules provide for various rights for witnesses, 
including the right to counsel.
  This resolution is well planned and will be implemented with care. 
Deposition authority is a tool that will enable the Teamsters 
investigation to unravel the improprieties associated with the 1996 IBT 
election so they do not recur. It will also help shed light on 
mismanagement and financial improprieties so that the International 
Brotherhood of Teamsters can become more responsive to its members.

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