Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, the independent counsel statute is an important and necessary law. It should be reauthorized. However, several issues surfaced during the time the now-expired statute was in effect which made it clear that certain basic reforms in this law are needed. Obviously, there are circumstances when a conflict of interest may exist, or at least when the appearance of a conflict may arise, and the Attorney General is placed in a difficult position to effectively investigate and prosecute another high-ranking Government official. The Watergate episode certainly highlighted the potential for such conflicts. The independent counsel law has proved a useful tool on some occasions to avoid such conflicts. However, the expired law has not completely fulfilled its promise or purpose. All too often it has not restored the public's confidence in Government or our legal system. Since its enactment in 1978, this law has resulted in 14 separate investigations but there has only been one final conviction of a named subject. These court-appointed prosecutors, who are accountable to absolutely nobody, have spent more than $61 million. Unfortunately, all too often there is little to show for their costly efforts. However, despite these obvious shortcomings, the majority has brought a bill (H.R. 811) to the floor today which would essentially reauthorize the same statute.”