Tony Hall: “Madam Speaker, I must oppose this resolution, because it grants unnecessary authority for an investigation of…”

“Madam Speaker, I must oppose this resolution, because it grants unnecessary authority for an investigation of questionable necessity. The standing rules of the House give deposition authority to committees as long as two Members are present. And since the rule was enacted in 1955, until the beginning of the 104th Congress, it has been the practice not to grant additional authority, except in cases of grave importance to the Nation. If we pass this resolution, it will be the third exception since 1996. There is a question whether this authority is needed at all for the committee to obtain documents and testimony for the investigation. The Teamsters have already supplied the committee more than 50,000 documents. They have expressed in writing that they are willing to participate fully in public hearings of the committee, even without the force of subpoena. However, they do have grave and justified concerns with secret, behind-closed-doors witness interviews. There is a question whether this whole investigation is needed.”