Posted on 06/18/2012 5:17:32 PM PDT by smoothsailing
June 18,2012
Matthew Boyle
House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa told Attorney General Eric Holder on Monday that he has until Tuesday morning to produce Operation Fast and Furious documents or his committee will be voting to hold him in contempt of Congress on Wednesday.
“[O]nly the delivery of documents outlined and offered by the Department of Justice last Thursday to staff will be sufficient to justify a postponement of Wednesday’s scheduled vote,” Issa wrote to Holder on Monday afternoon. “As the department has not yet produced these document – and unless it does so tomorrow morning – I will not be able to offer you the committee’s assessment of them at tomorrow’s meeting.”
In a letter to Issa earlier in the day, Holder asked to meet at 11 a.m. Issa responded that the meeting will take place at 5 p.m. — only after his committee staff can review the promised Fast and Furious documents.
In his letter, Holder argued he had taken “extraordinary” steps to accommodate Issa’s subpoena. Issa shot back, saying, “There is nothing extraordinary about an offer from a federal agency to fully or partially respond to a subpoena.”
Issa also said nothing “short of full compliance” will be “sufficient” for him to “negotiate” a “delay of contempt proceedings” because Holder has not specified what documents he plans to give the committee this week and has not provided a “log that includes descriptions of documents, the dates they were created, who created them, and individualized explanations for why the department believes these documents should not be produced pursuant to the subpoena.”
It’s unclear if Holder will actually produce the documents in time to halt the contempt of Congress vote. His spokeswoman, Tracy Schmaler, wouldn’t answer when The Daily Caller asked if he will.
But again, what does it do if there’s no enforcement action, and no consequences? Jail? Huge fines??? Anything?
They’re laughing at us, basically.
I think they’re meeting at 5:00pm.
It seems to me that it sets the individual up to be prosecuted. For instance, the charges against Clemens were derived from the Congressional hearings and conclusions. At least I think they were.
Okay, so who draws up charges against Holder, if he’s head of the Justice Department?
These are my thoughts, but I am no expert on this either.
Hopefully someone else will step in and explain the process.
I don’t think they’re laughing - i think they’re peeing on themselves. A freakin AG is about to be held in contempt of Congress. That will make news around the world.
The pressure is unstoppable and it just is really bad for the regime, irrespective of enforcement actions. And when this regime is gone, action can still be taken.
No, they’re not laughing.
Congressional Republicans familiar with the investigation say Issa is under pressure from House Speaker John Boehner to drop the Fast and Furious investigation because Boehner sees it as an election-year distraction that could hurt Republicans at the polls.
Holder, Issa set for critical meeting on Fast & Furious documents
That is the reason Issa is requesting a log. I suspect that Issa already HAS copies of many of these documents and when Holder doesn't deliver, Issa will release them and the stuff will hit the fan.
Actually, consequences to Holder are minor compared to what info could come out with continued pressure. The real consequence that is feared by the regime is the info coming out.
Issa wouldn’t be pushing like this w/out and endgame ... I hope.
Such endgame could have a lot of routes - maybe have whistle-blowers testify in front of Congress as an idea?
“...when this regime is gone, action can still be taken....”
Well, that is good to hear.
Maybe I’m just a vindictive SOB, but I really want some satisfaction out seeing these POS commie a-holes prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law...
“...i think they’re peeing on themselves...”
My friend, I hope you are correct. Love the imagery of it.
Boehner has really turned out to be a milk-toast to the tenth degree. We sure lose a lot of ground when we have people like him in charge of the House. It almost makes you wonder what the point is of being the majority party in the House.
If Romney does win in November, what real hope is there that a majority Republican House will contribute to sound policy? I don’t see much at all.
“If holder is held in contempt by the full house, I THINK... that the US Atty for DC puts it to a grand jury.”
That is one possibility, but many would argue that there is a conflict in the separation of powers (as you noted).
Another possibility is that if Holder is held in contempt by the full House, he would immediately be arrested by the Sgt. at Arms of the House. Followed by imprisonment for a term as designated by the House.
Any news?
Thanks for the comments Principled. Both NFHale and I hope you are right.
After watching Clinton and his mob trounce through Washington, D. C., and get (almost) a complete pass, my faith in justice isn’t very strong.
I am struck by the tactics the Left use when going after DeLay or Palin. They file charge after charge after charge, when they know damn well these people are innocent.
Then issues confront our team, and our leaders soil themselves, when there are clear violations of law.
I have said this a number of times here. I may not like the Left, but at last they are willing to fight tooth and nail for what they want.
I’m waiting for Websters to put in a picture of the GOPe and other Republican leaders, so then when people look up the term wimp, they’ll see some excellent examples.
I’m convinced that Holder us delaying so that whatever happens gets drowned out with the coverage of the forthcoming Obamacare ruling.
Breaking news coming up right now on FNC. Are you near a TV?
No tv.
Give us the scoop! (please!)
And what will happen on Wednesday?
Nothing.
LOL
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.