Obama’s Attorney General Eric Holder went up to Capitol Hill
yesterday. Most of the press
attention was on a confrontation between him and Rep. Louis Gohmert. But I find a statement by my
Congressman, Blake Farenthold, more significant.
Farenthold declined to ask any questions, saying Eric Holder should not
even be there and should not even be paid since he has been found in contempt
of Congress. Further, he rightly
suggested jail rather than the hearing room would be a more appropriate abode
for Holder.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
You know, I understand that this Committee has the constitutional duty of
oversight over the Department of Justice and that's why we have Mr. Holder here
today – but I don't think I can be a part of eroding the constitutional balance
of power, favoring the executive over the legislative.
I don't think Mr. Holder should be here. He's in contempt of this body.
I've called for his resignation, I've sponsored articles of impeachment and,
this week, I'm going to be introducing legislation that would prevent federal
employees who are held in contempt of Congress or who fail to fully comply with
a Congressional subpoena from being paid their taxpayer-funded salary. I'm
going to try and get that [the legislation] included with the appropriations
bills that’ll be going through.
I’m committed to maintaining the constitutional balance of power and the
authority this branch – this Legislative Branch – has, and I just don’t think
it’s appropriate [that] Mr. Holder be here. If an American citizen had not
complied with one of the Justice Department subpoenas, they would be in jail –
not sitting here testifying.
But I realize there are questions to be asked, and I’ll yield the
remainder of my time to Mr. Gowdy.
It was a needful statement, said with a sense of sadness more than
anger. Perhaps that is why it is
not getting much press. But watch for yourself.
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