[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 102 (Friday, July 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE ``INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN ADMINISTRATION 
                         PARDONS ACT OF 2006''

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                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2006

  Mr. CONYERS. Today, along with several of my colleagues, I am 
introducing legislation that would require the president to notify 
Congress upon the pardon of any Executive Branch employee. This 
notification is necessary because it is possible that the president 
could pardon an employee of his administration as a means of preventing 
an investigation from running its course and, perhaps, uncovering 
information critical of the administration. Without limiting the 
president's pardon authority under Article II of the Constitution, it 
is important for purposes of public accountability that Congress and 
the American public be notified when he does pardon one of his own 
employees.
  The need for this legislation came to light as a result of the 
Justice Department's investigation into an administration official's 
leak of CIA officer Valerie Plame Wilson's identity. The indictment of 
I. Lewis Libby, who was the Vice President's Chief of Staff, for false 
statements, perjury, and obstruction of justice in connection with the 
investigation raised concerns that the President might use his 
authority to pardon Mr. Libby or other officials involved in serious 
criminal offenses. This is a concern because President George W. Bush 
refused to respond to a July 25, 2005 letter I sent seeking his 
assurance that he would not pardon any former or current officials 
involved in the leak of Valerie Plame Wilson's name. Also, a June 18, 
2006 article by Tom Brune of Newsday notes that the Bush White House 
may gain political advantage by pardoning Mr. Libby.
  This is why Congress and the American people should be informed if 
and when a president pardons an administration employee. The notice 
should include information that sets forth the complete picture 
surrounding the pardon. This would include: the name and government 
title of the person, nature of the offense, the date of the pardon, the 
effect of the pardon on any criminal sentence or fine that may have 
been imposed, whether the person was involved in any criminal or civil 
investigation, whether the president sought the opinion of the lead 
Federal investigator on whether a pardon should be granted, and the 
position of the lead Federal investigator on whether a pardon should be 
granted.

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