Cliff Stearns: “I rise today to speak in support of the Istook resolution regarding the investigation into the House Post Office…”

“I rise today to speak in support of the Istook resolution regarding the investigation into the House Post Office scandal. And I commend my colleague from Oklahoma for his perservance in this matter. For too long, this House has ignored its constitutional responsibility to investigate allegations of conduct by its Members. In the case of the House Post Office, evidence of inappropriate conduct is far greater than any reasonable threshold for investigation. We all remember, with great regret, that the former House Postmaster has already pled guilty to Federal criminal charges as a result of this scandal. Nonetheless, the House seems content to turn a blind eye to this scandal. It reminds me of the line from George Orwell's 'Animal Farm': all Members of this House are supposed to be equal, but some are more equal than others, and Members of the House are more equal than the average American. Congress does a disservice to itself and the American people when it abdicates its responsibilities in this way. While it is always painful to have to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by a Member of this House, that pain is small compared to the damage that is done when our relationship with the people we are elected to represent is weakened.”