John Sarbanes: “the issue before us is a resolution that has been reported from the Rules Committee, introduced by Senator D'Amato, the…”

“the issue before us is a resolution that has been reported from the Rules Committee, introduced by Senator D'Amato, the chairman of the Special Whitewater Committee, which would indefinitely extend the special committee and provide another $600,000 over and above the almost million dollars that was provided last year for it to continue its work. The distinguished minority leader, Senator Daschle, has proposed that the committee's work continue until the 3rd of April with an additional $185,000. The question is really whether the life of this committee ought to be given an indefinite extension throughout the 1996 Presidential election year. I am going to retrace the history of our inquiry with respect to this particular issue, because I am very frank to say that I think the indefinite extension of the work of this committee will only result in politicizing the committee. It will be increasingly perceived by the public as an investigation being conducted for political purposes.”