Waxman unaware of inherent contempt?

Published: August 9, 2007, 2:18 pm

Tags: henry waxman, oversight, inherent contempt

First it was Ellen Tauscher insisting Gonzales wasn't impeachable (a stance she was forced to correct). Now, after all our discussion on the subject of inherent contempt and the necessity of keeping it in our toolkit, AfterDowningStreet.org reports this: Towards the end of the meeting, Dorothy Reik, President of Progressive Democrats of the Santa Monica Mountains, urged Waxman to use the "inherent contempt" power of Congress to bring criminal charges against Bush and Cheney and their aides, hold a hearing in Congress on those charges, and then hand down the punishment, prison time. Reik expressed frustration with the refusal of Bush administration officials to testify before congressional committees, despite the fact that subpoenas had been issued. "Your witnesses aren't showing up -- They're ignoring your subpoenas," said Reik, "so it is time for you, Congressman Waxman, to recognize that there is a precedent for members of congress to initiate criminal proceedings." Waxman said

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