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White House investigations, Obama administration, Republican congressional leadership, Investigative and oversight committees

White House investigations, Obama administration, Republican congressional leadership, Investigative and oversight committees
“Why has Obama, for over 2 years, employed numerous private and government attorneys to avoid presenting a legitimate birth certificate and college records?”…Citizen Wells and millions of concerned Americans
From the Chicago Tribune October 20, 2010.
“GOP gearing up for White House investigations
Should Republicans take control of the House, they plan to use subpoena power to compel the Obama administration to testify and provide documents on various issues.”
“The White House and the Republican congressional leadership are quietly preparing for intensified scrutiny and investigations of Obama administration actions if the GOP takes control of the House, officials say.
Republican lawmakers who would be in charge of investigative and oversight committees plan to renew a stack of information demands that have languished before federal agencies over the last 22 months. They have indicated that, if victorious next month, they will use subpoena power if necessary to compel officials to testify and provide documents.
The White House, anticipating such moves, is considering adding lawyers to its 20-person Office of Legal Counsel, which would be at the forefront of such skirmishes. Officials said they are preparing a post-election strategy likely to feature high-wattage fights between the White House and Congress.
The planning is in the early stages, and White House aides stress that, for now, President Obama is focused on helping Democrats protect their House and Senate majorities. As part of that effort, Obama is on a six-state swing, arriving in Portland on Wednesday to press his message that GOP victories could thwart his agenda and usher in what he calls discredited policies from the Bush era.
But Republicans are closing in on a series of wins that could put them in control of the lower chamber, positioning them to try to roll back Obama’s previous initiatives and block new ones.
Republican House leaders said they would avoid using their power to harass the president, by investigating the president’s birth certificate, for example. Obama was born in Hawaii, but some conservatives don’t believe it.
“The oversight function needs to be very focused on polices that kill jobs,” said Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.). “As long as we’re focused on trying to right the ship, the American people will support our efforts.”
If they win the majority, Republicans say that investigating Obama administration practices will be a special focus.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista), the top-ranking Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said that if Republicans gain control of the House on Nov. 2, he’ll direct his staff the next day to write to administration officials who have ignored his previous requests for information.
As a member of the minority, Issa said that no more than 30% of his letters to administration officials have been answered.
Issa has questioned how money has been spent under the federal stimulus program, and has criticized the administration’s successful court challenge of Arizona’s harsh immigration law.”