Patrick Leahy: “last week there was an attempt made, I think, on the part of some--not all, but on the part of some--a serious attempt…”

“last week there was an attempt made, I think, on the part of some--not all, but on the part of some--a serious attempt made in the Judiciary Committee to put together a bipartisan letter to the Attorney General regarding what should be done on the question of an independent counsel and some of the campaign fundraising issues. Unfortunately, it ended up being a partisan matter and the Republican majority, as is their right, sent a highly partisan letter asking immediately for an independent counsel. Most of us on the other side sent a letter, which I signed as ranking member, along with other Democratic members, asking basically that we follow the law and we go through the various steps required on the issue of independent counsel: That we do not bring political pressure on the Attorney General to act one way or the other, recognizing that the reason for the independent counsel law was to shield the process and the Attorney General from political pressure or posturing. In this regard, I would like to draw the attention of the Senate to the lead editorial in yesterday's Washington Post.”