[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 30 (Monday, February 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E225-E226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION OF H. RES. 979, RECOMMENDING THAT HARRIET MIERS 
AND JOSHUA BOLTEN BE FOUND IN CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS, AND ADOPTION OF H. 
    RES. 980, AUTHORIZING COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY TO INITIATE OR 
     INTERVENE IN JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS TO ENFORCE CERTAIN SUBPOENAS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 14, 2008

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. 
Res. 982, a resolution recommending that the House find White House 
Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet 
Miers in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas 
properly issued by the Judiciary Committee.

[[Page E226]]

  Recommending the House cite someone for contempt of Congress is a 
significant step, one that I support under only the most necessary 
circumstance. Regrettably, it is a step that must be taken. Since 
assuming office in 2001, the Bush Administration has repeatedly thumbed 
its nose at Congress, ignored our constitutional mandate as a check 
upon the executive branch.
  This resolution comes after the Judiciary Committee attempted for 
months to gain access to information requested by the committee. The 
Congress has a responsibility to investigate this matter and therefore, 
the White House' refusal to cooperate with the Congress leaves us no 
choice.
  Testifying before the House Rules Committee yesterday, my colleague 
John Conyers said that he had written nine letters over more than 8 
months trying to resolve this matter. But despite properly issued 
subpoenas, the White House had ``determined that it has the unilateral 
authority to prevent Mr. Bolten from providing us with a single piece 
of paper and to prevent Ms. Miers from even showing up at a committee 
hearing.'' Madam Speaker, the President is wrong and we have a 
responsibility to the American people to correct him.
  If the executive branch can disregard congressional subpoenas in this 
way, we no longer have a system of checks and balances. That is the 
cornerstone of our democracy, and it is our responsibility to protect 
it. That is why I am proud to join my colleagues today in support of 
the resolution.

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