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“QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2347-E2348 on Nov. 7, 2007.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE
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speech of
HON. TOM UDALL
of new mexico
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, the framers of our Constitution empowered the U.S. House of Representatives to impeach the President in cases of ``treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.'' They gave Congress a sacred responsibility to check the power of the President in order to preserve the liberty of the American people. With this responsibility came an equally important obligation to use congressional power only to advance the interests of the Nation. I am not convinced that an impeachment proceeding is in America's best interests at this time. That is why I recently voted to give the House Judiciary Committee time to substantively consider the articles of impeachment before bringing them before the full House for debate and a vote. At a time when Congress has so much work to do to repair the damage caused by this administration, Congress will best serve the American people by focusing our efforts on ending the war in Iraq, protecting civil liberties from executive overreaching and passing needed legislation to move America in a new direction.
With a little over a year left in office, attempting to bring impeachment charges against President Bush, or Vice-President Cheney, at this point, would prove counterproductive to the aggressive agenda our new majority in Congress has put forth. With many issues needing attention, Congress should focus on implementing the agenda the American people elected us to pursue.
As part of the new agenda, the 110th Congress has begun to do what the previous Congressional leadership would not do, and what many in this Congress still refuse to do: Stand up to this President. Under Representative Henry Waxman, CA, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has launched more than two dozen investigations of Bush administration actions. The committee's 75 investigators have probed everything from the behavior of contractors in Iraq to the politicization of the Federal Government here at home. Congress's efforts have already led to needed reforms in a variety of executive branch programs.
You may recall that in late July, it became apparent to me that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales's contradictory statements and actions raised serious concerns about his integrity and his respect for civil liberties. At the same time, Bush administration stonewalling was making it impossible for Congress to fully investigate Gonzales and restore America's respect for the Justice Department. On July 31, 2007, I joined with other former prosecutors serving in the U.S. House in calling for an investigation to determine whether Gonzales should be impeached. At the time, I believed investigation and, potentially, impeachment by the Congress provided the only way to hold Gonzales accountable.
In August, Alberto Gonzales did something he should have done long before: He resigned. His resignation provided needed change at the Justice Department, but it did not provide the answers that the American people demand and deserve. Congress still has an obligation to determine the legality of Gonzales's confusing, conflicting and misleading actions and statements. Just this week, Representative John Conyers, MI, took another step towards getting the truth about the Justice Department's actions under Gonzales. Conyers demanded the White House release key information regarding the Justice Department's firing of Federal prosecutors or face a congressional contempt citation. I and my colleagues will do everything in our power to compel the White House to cooperate with our investigation. I will continue to work with my colleagues to uncover the truth about the Gonzales Justice Department and its treatment of Americans' civil liberties, and I will fight to hold this administration accountable.
While Congress exercises its oversight role, we must also support a framework of laws that protects Americans from violations of our liberties and our right to privacy. I have always defended civil liberties. In 2001, I joined just 65 of my colleagues in standing up to post-
9/11 fearmongering and voting against the USA PATRIOT ACT. I have cosponsored legislation to restore the right of habeas corpus and undo the Military Commissions Act. And, most recently, I opposed changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, FISA, that would have given this administration more power to spy on Americans.
The Bush administration has done real damage to the United States through its policies and its executive actions. Congress must respond in the manner that will most effectively protect the American people and promote the interests of our country. We have begun to rein in the president and restore integrity to the Federal Government. We will continue to do so.
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