[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 100 (Friday, June 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOMMENDING THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER BE FOUND IN CONTEMPT OF 
                                CONGRESS

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                               speech of

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2012

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, for the first time in the history of the 
House of Representatives, the House Majority has brought a contempt 
vote against the Attorney General of the United States, even though he 
has complied with federal law. This act is purely political and 
unnecessary.
  Chairman Issa has admitted that he has no evidence that the Attorney 
General authorized, condoned, or was even aware of Operation Fast and 
Furious, nor does he have any evidence of wrongdoing. Rather, the 
evidence shows that as soon as the Attorney General was aware of the 
gunwalking program he immediately halted it and ordered an 
investigation by the Office of the Inspector General. To date, the 
Attorney General has provided thousands of pages of documents and 
testified before Congress nine times. The House Majority's 
unprecedented political attack, despite any evidence of wrongdoing, 
flies in the face of our justice system and is a disservice to the 
American people.
  The death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry is tragic, and the 
criminals responsible for his death should be prosecuted to the full 
extent of the law. Sadly, the goal of today's vote is not to bring 
justice for Agent Terry, secure our border, eliminate illegal guns, or 
even uphold the law. Today's vote is an attempt to discredit the 
President of the United States and the Attorney General through 
whatever means necessary, with no regard to evidence, a fair process, 
or the truth.
  The American people want Congress to focus on growing the economy. If 
Congress does not act by the end of this year, taxes will rise on every 
American, and the government will face massive budget cuts that our 
economy cannot afford. The House should be focused on creating jobs for 
Americans, not ending the tenure of the Attorney General.

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