[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E259]
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

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                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday February 14, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H. Res. 982, yet I feel a great sense of disappointment that Congress 
has been put in the position to take such action. This resolution 
recommends that the U.S. House of Representatives finds White House 
Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet 
Miers in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with subpoenas 
issued by the Committee on the Judiciary. Furthermore, H. Res. 982 
authorizes the Committee on the Judiciary to initiate or intervene in 
judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas.
  Over the past year, Congress has been investigating the firing of 
U.S. Attorneys by former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales based on 
what appears to be purely political grounds. Congress has been 
investigating with the intent of exposing any wrongdoing and to restore 
integrity and transparency to the Justice Department. Clearly, Congress 
and the American people will not tolerate an Attorney General, our 
Nation's top law enforcement officer, politicizing the conduct of the 
Department of Justice. Congress and the American people have the right 
to know what role Bush administration officials have played in the 
dismissal of these Federal prosecutors--including the former U.S. 
Attorney for Minnesota.
  In July of 2007, Congress subpoenaed Mr. Bolten and Ms. Miers after 
previous requests for information from them had been denied. At the 
direction of the White House, Mr. Bolten and Ms. Miers refused to 
comply with the Congressional subpoenas. They cited executive privilege 
in an apparent attempt to avoid answering questions under oath as to 
their involvement and their knowledge of the involvement of others in 
the firing of the U.S. Attorneys.
  Now, Congress has decided it must hold Mr. Bolten and Ms. Miers 
responsible for their failure to appear. A subpoena from Congress is 
not to be ignored. Their decision to dismiss the Congressional subpoena 
like a piece of junk mail is regrettable and has serious consequences 
as H. Res, 982 demonstrates.
  The Executive Branch--regardless of occupant of the White House--must 
be held accountable by both Congress and the American people. The Bush 
administration too often forgets that Congress is a co-equal branch of 
government and deserves open and honest cooperation when conducting 
oversight duties. H. Res. 982 reflects the House of Representatives' 
frustration with the conduct of this White House in impeding legitimate 
oversight and I strongly support the passage of this resolution.

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