Henry Waxman: “If my colleagues want to see an example of deposition authority and power being abused, look no further than what this…”

“If my colleagues want to see an example of deposition authority and power being abused, look no further than what this Congress has done in the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. People are subpoenaed for depositions. They are forced to come against their will, hire lawyers at $300 an hour. I just want Members to know this is not theoretical. I have seen people have to go hire lawyers, take time off from work, prepare for these depositions, go through the anxiety of it all to be questioned by staff people. Just a couple days ago, we had a deposition in Los Angeles of one of these four people that we gave immunity to. It started at 1:00. It went until 8:30. This witness had almost nothing to say. We have had staff people ask witnesses about their personal lives, whether they have ever been tested for drug abuse. This power can be abused. If there are hearings, at least the public will know what is asked. But if they are depositions, it is a staff person who can abuse that power, run roughshod over the rights of Americans by allowing them to, in closed door session, be asked any kind of question. Be wary whenever we give deposition authority. In some cases, it is appropriate, but we know it can be abused because we have seen it abused in this Congress already.”