NYT/AP: Democrats Prepare Slew of Oversight Hearings: "Congressional power in its rawest form"

[DeepModem Mom]

Dems Prepare Slew of Oversight Hearings
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: January 6, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- In this new era of divided government, the congressional hearing room is where the executive and legislative branches will clash.

Over the next few weeks, Senate Democrats plan to hold at least 11 hearings just on Iraq. In the House, one of the Democrats' most dogged investigators is waiting to spring his committee on a different mission -- suspected government fraud.

From the war to environmental policy and secret surveillance, the Democrats who now control both the House and Senate are armed with subpoena power and ready to summon panels of witnesses.

These newly empowered Democrats plan to put the Bush administration under scrutiny like never before.

''One of the clearest messages of the last election was that the Republican leadership was just AWOL when it came to holding the Bush administration accountable,'' said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

The congressional hearing room is a Washington set piece: A lonely witness at a table covered in red velvet, klieg lights glaring, a determined inquisitor across the floor. Congressional power in its rawest form....

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Congress-Oversight.html

[babylonsister]

1. What a beautiful title, story, sight! Nom! nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Let the games begin

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Demit]

3. I'm picturing a "Law & Order" shot—5 committee chairman walking purposefully

toward the camera. And the Libby trial starts this week too. Here's hoping...

[crispini]

4. I can tell I am going to develop a C-SPAN addiction.

I am seriously annoyed that I only get C-SPAN1 on cable... have to stream 2 and 3 if I want to watch them.

[janx]

8. So these hearings will be televised?

?

[crispini]

11. I betcha they will!

C-SPAN does have three channels, after all. I bet we'll get some hearing-y goodness. :bounce:

[janx]

12. I'll plan my days around them if I have to!

It's about time!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

18. Most committee meetings are streamed on the net...

even if CSPAN doesn't cover it, you can watch.

House
http://www.house.gov/daily/hpg.htm

Senate
http://www.senate.gov/galleries/radiotv/index.htm

[crickets]

25. Re: Most committee meetings are streamed on the net

Oo, I didn't know about that. Thanks for those links!

[Peace Patriot]

5. Don't ya know "impeachment is off the table"?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :bounce:

[VegasWolf]

6. After these hearings, even moderate Republicans will be demanding Impeachment! nt

[Vincardog]

7. After these hearings, even conservative Republicans will be demanding Impeachment!

Only the lonely 12% of the reich wing will be hanging with aWoL. :evilgrin: :nopity: :spank: the neoconvicts

[rodeodance]

10. umm.. I doubt that.

[w4rma]

15. Exactly. They'll do it to try to salvage their party. (nt)

[janx]

9. We want Dick! We want Dick! n/t

[BenDavid]

13. Well, it's about damn

time and hopefully anyone appearing before any committee will have to raise his/her hand and swear or affirm....

[LynnTheDem]

14. 'suspected government fraud'

bush regime; most corrupt in US history.

[w4rma]

16. And over the next couple years we're going to prove it, beyond any doubt. (nt)

[Viva_La_Revolution]

17. I so want to quit my job...

stay home and watch CSPAN all day long for the next 6 months.

:popcorn:

[CatWoman]

19. dupe; please delete

Over the next few weeks, Senate Democrats plan to hold at least 11 hearings just on
Iraq. In the House, one of the Democrats' most dogged investigators is waiting to spring his committee on a different mission — suspected government fraud.

From the war to environmental policy and secret surveillance, the Democrats who now control both the House and Senate are armed with subpoena power and ready to summon panels of witnesses.

These newly empowered Democrats plan to put the Bush administration under scrutiny like never before.

Iraq is the focal point of Democratic efforts.

Besides the focus on Iraq, Democratic committee chairmen are planning their own policy oversight sessions with Bush officials.

"We need to be the watchdog," said Rep. Henry Waxman (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif.

From his perch as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Waxman said he intends to tackle instances of "waste, fraud and abuse." He did not specify his first target, but previously has expressed interest in investigating federal contracts in Iraq and in the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina struck.

Sen. Patrick Leahy (news, bio, voting record), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has said he will examine the administration's policies on torture and other human rights issues. His request for data exposed one of the first rifts between the new Congress and the administration when the Justice Department refused to provide the committee with two secret documents that describe
CIA detention and interrogation policies for suspected terrorists.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070106/ap_on_go_co/congress_oversight

[ellisonz]

20. "Iraq is the focal point of Democratic efforts."

Investigate, Inform, Impeach, Convict.

:beer:

[Hawkowl]

26. And

IMPRISON. Impeachment is followed by conviction and IMPRISONMENT.

[Independent_Liberal]

21. Sibel Edmonds has some stuff she wants to tell us.

They need to let her testify.

www.justacitizen.org

www.nswbc.org

www.sibeledmonds.blogspot.com

[Zorra]

22. Investigate, indict, arrest, try, convict, imprison.

ASAfuckin'P.

[cosmicone]

23. and hang

j/k

[dos pelos]

24. BRING ON THE CLASH,GET THESE BASTARDS