Can the Democrats do this? What never used rule are they talking about?

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/11/02/wbush02.xml&sSheet=/portal/2003/11/02/ixportaltop.html

Democrats open second front against Bush in war over Iraqi secrets

Top Democrats in Congress are planning a second, "independent" investigation into the role of the White House and the Pentagon in processing pre-war intelligence on Iraq. snip

"We want to know whether the administration put pressure on the agencies to come up with certain kinds of information. It's the very question that has been explored at great length in Britain at the Hutton Inquiry," he told The Telegraph.

"If the Republican leadership of the Senate Intelligence Committee is determined to protect the administration at any cost, we'll do the investigative job on our own."

The inquiry, under a rule never evoked before, would have legal powers to demand documents and summon witnesses from within the administration, potentially leading to high-ranking confrontations with top Bush officials.

more

[Military Brat]

1. Well, whatever it is, I hope they use it to find the leaker

And what really happened on 9/11.

[sandnsea]

2. Here's another story

http://www.hillnews.com/news/102903/probe.aspx

"But the Democrats insist that the committee’s 1976 organizing resolution grants it jurisdiction over all “the intelligence activities and programs of the U.S. government.”

Roberts said a separate investigation by Democrats would “set a unique and unfortunate precedent for the committee.” But he acknowledged that “our committee rules are such that the vice chairman has unique jurisdiction and authority.”

In addition to launching investigations and issuing subpoenas, the Democratic vice chairman can preside over the committee, hold meetings without the presence of a majority member of the committee and authorize witness interrogation by committee staff."

[sandnsea]

3. More, Rule 6 & 7

From the hill story:

"Rule Six authorizes Roberts or Rockefeller to launch an investigation if five other members of the committee concur. In addition to Rockefeller, there are seven Democrats on the committee — making it nearly certain that Rockefeller would have the necessary support to move forward should he chose to do so.

Rule Seven allows either the chairman or the vice chairman to issue subpoenas “for the attendance of witnesses or the production of memoranda, documents, records or any other material.”

Intelligence committee Democrats note that their panel is the only one in Congress that gives the minority the power to conduct an investigation and issue subpoenas."

[NNN0LHI]

4. Thanks for the information sandnsea. Much appreciated n/t

[sandnsea]

9. Let's just watch this

Let's keep this kicked for a week or so and keep a close, close eye. If it looks like they're going to need a kick in the rear to actually do this, let's give it to them.

:kick:

[Wapsie B]

8. Yeah!

Let's get the truth out there. Maybe the committee can unearth something before the election. Just please don't anyone take any plane rides real soon.

[grannylib]

5. Go Dems Go!

Let's get to the bottom of all these scandals and lies from the Shrub administration -
Harkin
Halliburton
Enron
Disappearing deficit
9/11
Leaks
Desertion from ANG
Stolen election
and on, and on, and on....

[gardenista]

6. Finally! They're working the system and setting an agenda!

Finally!

This is the only way to beat them!

We must set our own agenda and run every end game around every nook and cranny of the rules! That's been the Repuplican specialty for such a long time, and it's time our Dems in the Senate started doing the same.

GO GO GO!!!!

[kentuck]

7. This is where the Repubs will outsmart the Dems....

They will pretend they are going to turn the documents over to the Repub-led full committee so as to stall and prevent such a maneuver by the Democrats. They cannot permit this to happen. Democrats should start setting deadlines for the documents or they should investigate on their own...

[gardenista]

10. Did you see that they're suddenly turning over Docs?

This must mean that the Dems CAN do this, and the WH is scared shitless. I hope the Dems go forward and don't back down. The entire thing has been a sham so far. They MUST go forward!

[snippy]

15. But the White House will turn over 10,000 irrelevant documents and then

wait until the democrats have had time to review them and demand additional documents. The RNC will then instruct the media to mock the democrats. Then the White house will turn over 10,000 more and wait. And the RNC will instruct. And this will happen again. And again. And it will be after the election that anything relevant is turned over. Turd Blossom Rove is predictable.

[John_H]

11. kick

Does anyone have more details?

[Old and In the Way]

12. Is this the prybar that's been missing for 3 years?

I hope every candidate supports this loud and clear. I hope this starts the flow of info from the CIA....

[Kanary]

13. Is this why...

Our Chimp-in-Chief went on R&R at the ranch?

Kanary

[7th_Sephiroth]

16. no

he went on R&R because, being a bush is so taxing that he cant possibly do any work

[DUreader]

14. kick

good stuff