October 26, 2007
Oversight... Waxman at work
For those of you who, like me, have been disapointed in the Democratic Congress not taking on the Administration directly, the WaPo reminds us that investigations are ongoing. Lot's of them. And we have Henry Waxman to thank for finally forcing Congress to do it's job by checking Presidential power...
Waxman has become the Bush administration's worst nightmare: a Democrat in the majority with subpoena power and the inclination to overturn rocks. But in Waxman the White House also faces an indefatigable capital veteran -- with a staff renowned for its depth and experience -- who has been waiting for this for 14 years.These days, the 16-term congressman is always ready with a hearing, a fresh crop of internal administration e-mails or a new explosive report. And he has more than two dozen investigations underway, on such issues as the politicization of the entire federal government, formaldehyde in Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers, global warming, and safety concerns about the diabetes drug Avandia.
"We have to let people know they have someone watching them after six years with no oversight at all," said Waxman, 68. "And we've got a lot of low-hanging fruit to pick."
Republicans have their share of complaints. They say that Waxman's staff cuts corners, plays "gotcha" with witnesses and committee Republicans, bypasses GOP staff members by interviewing witnesses rather than depositioning them, and would rather investigate than legislate. But even some of them speak with grudging admiration.
"For the administration, and for a lot of others, people need to be careful now," said Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (Va.), the ranking Republican on the committee. "Someone is looking over their shoulder."
Republicans and Democrats say that Waxman has marshaled three ingredients from his staff -- tenacity, experience and loyalty -- to make it one of the brightest spots on the new Congress's otherwise mixed record. The number of Democratic staff members has doubled, to about 75, since the party took control. About 25 investigators make up the core of Waxman's team.
We all have to remember that oversight is a painstaking process and the American people are lucky to have someone like Henry Waxman taking on the task. When the final chapter is written in the book on the history of Republican incompetence during this era, it'll be Waxman who comes out the hero. Not just for saving taxpayers billions, but by taking those responsible to task for their illegal actions.
Posted by mcblogger at October 26, 2007 12:08 PM
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