Saturday, June 30, 2012

Congresswoman Johnson's Statement In Response To Attorney General Holder Being Found In Contempt By The GOP Congress



Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson issued the following statement in response to Attorney General Eric Holder being found in contempt by the GOP Congress.

“The GOP-led Congress voted 255 to 67 to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for failing to cooperate with the gun tracking operation “Fast and Furious.” No  cabinet member has ever been held in contempt in the entire history of the United States Congress .  This afternoon’s vote was nothing more than a politically-charged effort to embarrass the Administration in the midst of a contentious election.
The Attorney General has already submitted nearly 8,000 documents to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and has demonstrated a continued willingness to cooperate with the Oversight Committee in its investigation."

"Unfortunately, House Republicans do not share the willingness to cooperate, and instead have resorted to radical and unprecedented measures in order to achieve their ulterior motive. Republicans efforts have been so flawed that Democratic members of the Oversight Committee have identified one hundred errors, omissions, and mischaracterizations in the contempt resolution itself and the corresponding Committee report."

"We cannot allow the oversight role of Congress and the powers at its disposal, to be seized for political gain. For the sake of the integrity of our democracy and this institution, we must resist efforts to undermine the legitimate use of Congressional power; we owe nothing less to the American people."