Orrin Hatch: “I hoped to come to the floor today to deliver a statement commending the Attorney General for her courageous decision to…”

“I hoped to come to the floor today to deliver a statement commending the Attorney General for her courageous decision to do the right thing and request the appointment of an independent counsel to investigate the fundraising violations in connection with the 1996 Presidential election. Regrettably, I am here today for a much different reason, to express disappointment and frustration with her refusal to even initiate an independent counsel's appointment. I appreciate the fact that the Attorney General is under enormous pressure from the White House, the Congress, the media, and the public, and that she is in a very unenviable position. I have respect and admiration for the Attorney General, but her refusal to do what the law permits and indeed requires her to do, frankly, does not engender respect or admiration in this instance. The Clinton administration and the Department of Justice is trying to cast her decision as a legal decision when, in fact, it is a decision within her power, and in my opinion, one which she is ethically obliged to make. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which, pursuant to its statutory responsibilities requested 33 days ago that the Attorney General apply for the appointment of an independent counsel, I am compelled to respond to what can only be characterized as her inadequate response. In all candor, the substance of the Attorney General's report is vague, ambiguous at best, and at times, legally disingenuous.”