|
Oversight important no matter who is in charge |
|
March 4, 2017 |
By U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador
For years, I have been a strong proponent of
Congressional oversight of the Executive branch.
In fact, Congress’ shirking of its
responsibilities has been one of my biggest
complaints since I was elected.
This oversight is necessary regardless of which
party is in power. Democrats and Republicans can
both fall victim to the culture of power that
corrupts so many in Washington, D.C.
Just weeks into our new administration,
bolstered by salacious media reports, there have
been calls to investigate the influence Russia
may have exerted in last year’s election. I
support these calls and think Congress should
fully investigate any potential foreign
government influencing the election, not because
I believe that there has been wrongdoing but
because the American people need to know that
there was no wrongdoing.
I was one of the first Republicans to publicly
call for the House Intelligence Committee to
investigate the claims of Russian influence, and
I’m pleased the committee is doing this as we
speak.
Earlier this week, the Judiciary Committee
debated H. Res 111. This resolution sponsored by
the Democrats on the Judiciary Committee called
for the Attorney General to send the House any
information the Department of Justice currently
holds on active investigations that may involve
the President or a member of his executive
office.
It also called for the release of any
information about the President’s investments
and business affairs. The resolution was
introduced under the guise of “investigating”
the President’s ties to Russia.
Unfortunately, the resolution missed the mark
and seems more like a witch hunt than an
objective, fact-finding effort.
The House and Senate Intelligence Committees
hold jurisdiction over the damaging effects of
these alleged actions, so they should be the
committees to investigate. If they find any
evidence of wrongdoing, I hope that the
Judiciary Committee will be the first to stand
up for the Constitution. But it’s time to stop
playing politics and pretending it’s noble.
The Left’s newfound concern about Russian
interference with U.S. politics would be
laughable if it weren’t so serious.
Numerous times over the past eight years,
Democrats have turned a blind eye toward
Republican concerns about Russian aggression.
In 2012, President Obama openly mocked candidate
Romney for saying Russia was, “without question,
our number one geopolitical foe.”
In 2014, Russia launched cyberattacks on
computer networks at the Department of State and
White House.
Just last year, planes aggressively buzzed
American assets in the vicinity of the Black
Sea. Russian antagonism has only grown unchecked
under Obama’s watch. Apparently President Obama
and his party only awoke to the Russian threat
once President Trump won the election.
I believe oversight is important, no matter who
is in charge, and I will actively challenge the
President, Democrat or Republican, if they cross
the line.
But until we have some tangible proof that this
President has, Democrats in Congress need to be
more focused on the people’s priorities and stop
playing games. |
|
Questions or comments about this
article?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
