Posted on 01/18/2011 3:05:02 PM PST by jazusamo
The gloves are coming off on the House committee that will be at the center of Republican attempts to investigate the Obama administration.
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, took a jab at his Republican counterpart this week, calling for serious investigations rather than probes that are “silly or absurd.”
Cummings made the remark in a letter to Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) on Monday spelling out his goals for the committee in the new Congress. He said the panel needs to hold the government accountable while also heeding President Obama's call to elevate political discourse in the wake of the attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.)
“I want to join you in conducting responsible oversight to ensure accountability in government and effective operation of our nation’s laws,” Cummings wrote. “I also agree with President Obama’s statement last week that ‘a more civil and honest public discourse can help us face up to the challenges of our nation.’ Together, I hope we can elevate the level of discourse not only on our Committee, but across the nation."
In the letter, Cummings also questioned Issa's use of taxpayer funds for unofficial committee activities, which was reported in a New Yorker profile released this week. The article mentions a “highly organized” effort to manage Issa’s image, which aides refer to as “Issa Enterprises.” Another effort, which aides call “Oversight Productions,” refers to a series of Youtube videos Issa links to his Twitter account and official website.
“As Ranking Member, my goals are straightforward: I want the Committee to engage in oversight that is regarded as serious rather than dismissed as silly or absurd; to establish strong predicates for investigations rather than making unsubstantiated allegations that waste taxpayer funds; to use Committee resources to inform and educate the American people rather than attacking opponents; and to conduct comprehensive, balanced investigations that seek out the truth rather than launching one-sided inquiries designed to fulfill predetermined outcomes,” Cummings wrote.
Never one to let an attack go unanswered, Issa’s office punched back Tuesday and accused Cummings of obstructionism and failing to be a “serious” oversight partner.
“Congressman Towns and Congresswoman Maloney were pushed aside in order to have the most effective obstructionist as Ranking Member,” said Issa spokesman Frederick Hill. “This letter and other statements have only underscored concerns that Ranking Member Cummings is not interested in being a serious partner on oversight.”
The letter is the latest in a series of early jabs between Issa and Cummings. When it became clear that Issa would chair the panel, Democratic leaders pushed Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) out of the top Democratic post because he had not been aggressive countering Issa while serving as chairman for the past few years. Democrats also passed up Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) in favor of Cummings, for similar reasons — out of fear that she would not be able to effectively go toe to toe with Issa.
Ever since Republicans won back the majority, the media spotlight has fallen squarely on Issa and his plans to investigate all corners of the Obama administration.
This week, Issa announced that his first investigation on the Oversight Committee would be of a Homeland Security Department policy that requires political appointees to review many Freedom of Information Act requests.
jeez...could you imagine probing Obama? yeech....
Let me think—did the dems have a problem with “silly” probes of Nixon?
Cummings: “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.”
I agree. I want serious Obama probes.
Investigate everyone involved in the reign of soft tyranny led by the wun. Prosecute and imprison all of the guilty to the max.
Would it be “silly” to ask for his long-form birth cert so that congress could vet his leigibility?
Stay strong Issa!
Go ahead and punt.
We promise we won’t pull the ball away this time. :)
Yep, darn serious investigations!
Here is what I have to say to Democrat Cummings!!! You morons had the government wrapped around your socialist fingers and.....you blew it all. You lost, our side won. Take a hike, deadbeat Democrat!!!
No problem.
We shall only have serious probes of Obama.
Repeat after me Chairman Issa: it’s the seriousness of the charge...
Congressman Cummins & his Media pals will choke on that one.
Color me surprised.
Dear Rep. Cummings:
Thank you for your letter of Jan. 15, 2011. It contains many valuable insights that I will duly take into consideration in carrying out my constitutional role as Chairman of the House Oversight committee. Thanks for sharing them with me.
Your friend and colleague,
Darrell Issa
Cuz we want him gone!
So pound sand.
Show us the long form!
Some would say you're not being civil, Foxy.
You can tell them that you certainly were being civil. You chose your words carefully and called him a "deadbeat Democrat", not an "asswipe Democrat".
... 1 2 3 ...get ready for the cries of racism.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.