Nancy Pelosi: “From that experience, I rise in opposition to the Bunning amendment. We have heard the word ``bifurcation'' around here…”

“From that experience, I rise in opposition to the Bunning amendment. We have heard the word ``bifurcation'' around here today. For those Members who have not been paying attention before but maybe are now, that means that Congress previously agreed that we would divide the process into investigation and adjudication in terms of the work of the members of the committee. The bifurcation, or the subcommittee to do the investigation, ensured confidentiality, protected against delay, and preserved the integrity of the independent adjudication later should there have been charges brought. I think it is very, very important for us to preserve the separation of functions within the committee. Confidentiality is served, the integrity of the investigation is served, and fairness to the Member is ensured. With that, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no``.”