Black Lawmakers Plot 'Walkout Strategy' During Holder Contempt Vote
The Congressional Black Caucus has called a members-only "emergency"
meeting on Thursday to plot a "walkout strategy" ahead of the scheduled
contempt vote of Attorney General Eric Holder later in the day.
The plans, detailed in an email from the executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus obtained by the Alley, include circulating a letter disapproving of the vote and having lawmakers walk out of the Capitol to hold a press conference during the roll call.
The letter, a draft of which is being circulated for signatures, accuses the GOP leadership of "rushing recklessly to a contempt vote." The letter is being circulated among the Black, Hispanic, Asian and Progressive caucuses, among other.
A copy of the full draft letter is below:
The plans, detailed in an email from the executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus obtained by the Alley, include circulating a letter disapproving of the vote and having lawmakers walk out of the Capitol to hold a press conference during the roll call.
The letter, a draft of which is being circulated for signatures, accuses the GOP leadership of "rushing recklessly to a contempt vote." The letter is being circulated among the Black, Hispanic, Asian and Progressive caucuses, among other.
A copy of the full draft letter is below:
Dear Colleague:
We write to urge you to stand with us in the pursuit of justice for the Attorney General of the United States of America, Eric H. Holder. In its history, the United States House of Representatives has never held a United States Attorney General, or any other Cabinet official, in contempt. [THERE IS ALWAYS A FIRST TIME LOL!]
Instead of focusing on job creation and other critical issues before this Congress, we have been asked to engage in a political stunt on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. Our constituents elected us to do real work, not to engage in meaningless partisan activity. [HMMMMM MEANINGLESS?...FAILURE TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION AND THE RULE OF LAW IS MEANINGLESS?]
Over the past 15 months, Attorney General Eric Holder and the Department of Justice have cooperated [CO-OPERATED?...THEN WHY THE CONTEMPT CITATION?] with the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's requests for information on "Fast and Furious", an unfortunate operation that began under the Bush Administration and, in fact, was terminated by Attorney General Holder. [THE BUSH PROGRAM WAS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT...THIS IS A MIS-LEADING STATEMENT] The Department has made extraordinary efforts to accommodate Congress by turning over almost 8,000 documents--including all the documents that relate to the tactics in this investigation and the other flawed investigations that occurred in Arizona during the Bush Administration. The Attorney General also participated in a bicameral meeting in a good faith effort to satisfy the Committee's information requests. While the Attorney General has advised House Republicans that he is willing to work with them in attempting to reach an agreement, the Republican Leadership is instead rushing recklessly to a contempt vote. [BUT HE IS STILL WITHHOLDING INFORMATION!]
Contempt power should be used sparingly, carefully and only in the most egregious situations. [DEATH OF A BORDER AGENT AND MANY OTHER INNOCENTS BECAUSE OF AN ILLEGAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM IS NOT SERIOUS?] The Republican Leadership has articulated no legislative purpose for pursuing this course of action. For these reasons we cannot and will not participate in a vote to hold the Attorney General in contempt. We adamantly oppose this partisan attack and refuse to participate in any vote that would tarnish the image of Congress or of an Attorney General who has done nothing but work tirelessly to protect the rights of the American people. We must reflect upon why we are elected to this body and choose now to stand up for justice.
We call upon all members of Congress to stand with us during a press conference on the Capitol Building steps during this appalling series of votes to discuss our nation's most significant priority--creating jobs. At this critically important time in our nation, we must work as colleagues rather than political enemies.
We write to urge you to stand with us in the pursuit of justice for the Attorney General of the United States of America, Eric H. Holder. In its history, the United States House of Representatives has never held a United States Attorney General, or any other Cabinet official, in contempt. [THERE IS ALWAYS A FIRST TIME LOL!]
Instead of focusing on job creation and other critical issues before this Congress, we have been asked to engage in a political stunt on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. Our constituents elected us to do real work, not to engage in meaningless partisan activity. [HMMMMM MEANINGLESS?...FAILURE TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION AND THE RULE OF LAW IS MEANINGLESS?]
Over the past 15 months, Attorney General Eric Holder and the Department of Justice have cooperated [CO-OPERATED?...THEN WHY THE CONTEMPT CITATION?] with the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's requests for information on "Fast and Furious", an unfortunate operation that began under the Bush Administration and, in fact, was terminated by Attorney General Holder. [THE BUSH PROGRAM WAS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT...THIS IS A MIS-LEADING STATEMENT] The Department has made extraordinary efforts to accommodate Congress by turning over almost 8,000 documents--including all the documents that relate to the tactics in this investigation and the other flawed investigations that occurred in Arizona during the Bush Administration. The Attorney General also participated in a bicameral meeting in a good faith effort to satisfy the Committee's information requests. While the Attorney General has advised House Republicans that he is willing to work with them in attempting to reach an agreement, the Republican Leadership is instead rushing recklessly to a contempt vote. [BUT HE IS STILL WITHHOLDING INFORMATION!]
Contempt power should be used sparingly, carefully and only in the most egregious situations. [DEATH OF A BORDER AGENT AND MANY OTHER INNOCENTS BECAUSE OF AN ILLEGAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM IS NOT SERIOUS?] The Republican Leadership has articulated no legislative purpose for pursuing this course of action. For these reasons we cannot and will not participate in a vote to hold the Attorney General in contempt. We adamantly oppose this partisan attack and refuse to participate in any vote that would tarnish the image of Congress or of an Attorney General who has done nothing but work tirelessly to protect the rights of the American people. We must reflect upon why we are elected to this body and choose now to stand up for justice.
We call upon all members of Congress to stand with us during a press conference on the Capitol Building steps during this appalling series of votes to discuss our nation's most significant priority--creating jobs. At this critically important time in our nation, we must work as colleagues rather than political enemies.
An election for President and Commander in Chief of the Military must strive to be above reproach. Our public institutions must give the public confidence that a presidential candidate has complied with the election process that is prescribed by our Constitution and laws. It is only after a presidential candidate satisfies the rules of such a process that he/she can expect members of the public, regardless of their party affiliations, to give him/her the respect that the Office of President so much deserves.
We know on member who will not be walking out and who will be voting for contempt...Alan West..
ReplyDeleteWhere are the "Tuskogee Airmen?"
ReplyDeleteI say let the Black Caucus walk out---and then lock the door so they can't get back in!!!!!!
ReplyDelete