Political Quotes

“We really owe it to the rank and file of the Teamsters to complete this as expeditiously as we possibly can, and therefore need this deposition authority in order to do that. The Committee on Education and the Workforce is examining the failed 1996 election of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and related matters, including financial mismanagement at the union and possible manipulation of its pension fund. Although the subcommittee's investigation has established a good foundation, its progress is increasingly slowed by obstructionist tactics of the IBT, including the refusal to allow interviews of relevant witnesses. We have been forced to issue subpoenas for documents to 14 organizations, most of whom refused to voluntarily provide information to the subcommittee at direction of the IBT. Subpoenas have also been issued to seven witnesses to secure their testimony at the subcommittee's public hearing. Furthermore, the IBT has steadfastly refused on numerous occasions over the last 4 months to allow subcommittee investigators to interview current IBT employees and employees of its actuarial and accounting firms.”