John Conyers: White House in Contempt

[babylonsister]

e-mail rec'd.


White House in Contempt


I wanted to take the opportunity to update you on the status of the contempt of Congress resolution in the House of Representatives.

As you may know, the Judiciary Committee passed a resolution before the August recess holding the White House and Harriet Miers in contempt of Congress for their failure to provide documents and appear before the committee as legally required by subpoena.

The information we have received to date from the Justice Department from our U.S. Attorneys investigation indicates the White House played a central role in the firing of the nine federal prosecutors. Yet, the White House has stonewalled and consistently refused to cooperate with inquiries into this matter.

At the heart of our investigation is the evidence uncovered suggesting that the nine U.S. Attorneys were fired for politically-motivated reasons, while others may have been retained because they were pursuing partisan investigations.

We have also discovered that job candidates' political contributions and affiliations were considered in hiring decisions for nonpartisan positions in the Department of Justice. Our job has been made more difficult by apparent misleading testimony from the Attorney General and other Department of Justice officials.

This politicization of our judicial system cannot be tolerated. Our citizens have a right to expect that federal prosecutions will be conducted in a fair and nonpartisan manner.

There are many steps we can take in this confrontation with the White House. Some are more extreme than others. What we must first do is get the facts that show who made these decisions in the White House. Only once we have this evidence can we adequately pursue justice.

What is now required is for the House to pass these contempt of Congress citations and pursue legal action against the White House and Harriet Miers for their failure to meet the requirements of the subpoenas. Hopefully this contempt of Congress resolution will soon have a vote on the floor of the House. I am not prepared to allow this administration to operate above the law.

Thank you for your continued support for a better democracy.


Your Friend,

John Conyers, Jr.

[rateyes]

1. Why is he saying, "Hopefully"?

"Hopefully this contempt of Congress resolution will soon have a vote on the floor of the House."

Sounds like he's not convinced it will ever come up for a vote, and he's hedging his bets.

[pnwmom]

11. He's saying "Pressure must be brought to bear." That means US.

It's time for all of us to put pressure on our representatives. We need to demand the vote.

[rateyes]

13. I've been doing all the demanding I can do....

I hope that others will join those of us who continue to do so. But, it sounds too much like "criticizing democrats" for some, it seems.

[babylonsister]

15. That argument (criticizing Dems) is pretty lame; if we don't do it, who

will? And they certainly deserve criticism.

[rateyes]

16. True, that.

[AuntPatsy]

18. At times I find that argument defeating and yet if they don't use thier voice

to state what we the people demand what good are they? I feel at times they are up against a blockade of the worst obstructers this government has ever bore witness to and they need more help from we the people. So what can we the people do to ensure the validity of our concerns are addressed? Other than what thousands have done, protesting, writing letters, making phone calls, what more can we the people do to aid our representitives be able to do the jobs they were hired to do?

[babylonsister]

20. We're doing what we can; I wonder why they're not paying attention? nt

[Lasher]

2. Thanks for sharing.

Ever since this came up during the recess I have been wondering how it would play out.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

3. Are the citations even scheduled for a vote?

:shrug:

I'd like to see this take priority. But, I dunno',...maybe, justice isn't top priority in this congress. I just don't know.

[endarkenment]

4. I like John. I believe he has good intentions.

I think the track record shows that he has no support in the Democratic congressional leadership. I also believe that they cut a deal with the administration: gonzo under the bus, 'what contempt charges?'.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

5. I want him to go for Inherent Contempt. Plain and simple. To go through the courts

can take a long, long time.

[hootinholler]

17. To attempt to use a corrupted DOJ to enforce this is asinine!

Ain't gonna happen in this administration.

Yes, inherent contempt is necessary and proper.

-Hoot

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

23. And what are the odds that he would go for Inherent Contempt? I'd say 1 million to one. eom

[bdamomma]

6. who made these decisions????

who took a little trip to the Senate yesterday to flex his power, Cheney of course. He needs to get his a$$ hauled out of the WH.

[L. Coyote]

7. DoJ is the political militia of the Bush Junta = K & R & Impeach

[radiclib]

8. Question:

If any of us hoi-polloi tried to ignore a subpoena, would we not be taken away in handcuffs? Or would we get a vote on the floor of the House?

[babylonsister]

10. You know the answer to that; different set of rules, it seems. nt

[pscot]

9. Pelosi controls what comes to the floor of the House

Conyers needs some help, but he doesn't want to come right out and ask people to pressure the Speaker. If you want it to happen, call your congress-critter, call the Speaker's office. Tell 'em it's time to move on the contempt citation.

[Bitwit1234]

12. If it goes to the senate forget it.

[rateyes]

14. It doesn't have to go to the Senate...

They're in contempt of the House, and of the Senate...and, either body can bring those charges, and try it in that body.

[BlooInBloo]

19. Sounds like Conyers getting sick of Pelosi's cowardice.

[L. Coyote]

21. K & R to support Conyers and ALL Dems. Bush is the problem!

[KoKo]

22. It's getting harder and harder to believe anything will come of

getting the info out of the WH or that the subpoenas will be honored. Congress will take an October break, then the Thanksgiving break then Christmas and it will be February before they can turn their attention to investigations...while so much Bush legislation has still to be passed to keep the country safe and our economy strong.

Unless Conyers does this on his own with backing of Judiciary...then what more can happen? They have all our petitions ...they know we've done all we can out here on the 'liberal internet" ...so who does he need? He Needs Hoyer and Emmanuel to come on board.

[cascadiance]

24. Weird that the email has NO links on it...

None to a petition page. None to a contribution page... It's not really obvious whether he wants us to try and help him with this, or if he's just trying to send the message out that he's willing to fight if he's given more of the opportunity to do so. Wish I could read between the lines more to see what he'd like to have changed so that he CAN act and have this happen (or as others indicate here, cut to the chase and move to INHERENT contempt as it will probably be needed!).