Robert Walker

But, reclaiming my time, I think the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Gonzalez] has made very clear that he does not plan to follow the Speaker's directive on this, that the committee is, in fact, going to hold hearings on this matter.

I must say that is comforting, and I appreciate it. If I have understood the gentleman correctly, the gentleman has committed to us that we are going to have hearings on Whitewater before the end of this congressional session, that the…

And my question is: Does the gentleman from Texas believe that the minority is entitled to the documents that they requested based upon what the gentleman just told us, that this is an opportunity for the committee to review the realities…

I think we have now figured out the great wisdom of the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Gonzalez] in demanding that kind of hearing.

But is the gentleman--was the subcommittee chairman's ruling right that when that bar comes in, that the minority has no right to ask for documents relating to the Madison S&L? Was that a proper ruling by the subcommittee chairman?

It is my understanding the way we could get those records would be to subpoena them. Is that right? In typical fashion, typical of what we have done before in this area, we have subpoenaed those kinds of documents.

As I understand the gentleman's answer, the Banking Committee will hold hearings on the Madison Savings & Loan scandal sometime before the adjournment of Congress this year?

And this matter, like the Silverado scandal and so on, does involve an S&L which is under the jurisdiction of the committee?

I have the assurance of the gentleman from Texas that this matter will be investigated by the House Banking Committee prior to adjournment of this Congress?

I did not ask for a time certain and a date. I asked for something general: Will hearings be held this year?

It simply seems to me that is as important as Silverado was, that it is in the same league as the Silverado scandal.

I am looking for an answer to my question. Is the majority staff actively involved in an investigation of the Whitewater matter? Has the chairman told the majority staff that subpoenas can be used in order to obtain materials?