Bush administration misconduct hearings: Liveblog

By GottaLaff

Live on CSPAN:

Dennis Kucinich just got loud applause as he (and his wife) entered the hearing room in the Rayburn House Office Building. Bob Barr will be on a later panel. Vincent Bugliosi set to be on a panel, too.

I predict there will be some spectators who get ejected, they're pretty rowdy.

John Conyers: Separation of powers is of ultimate importance [paraphrased]. Congress has oversight powers... [lists them]. ... Judicial system, too... This committee has spent time investigating all the misuse of authority [lists the misuse... extensively]... Secrecy, Valerie Plame matter, Iraq war, etc... The evidence is credible and substantial and warrants direct answers from the most senior members of the administration under oath if at all possible.

Some say we've done too little too late. But during the prior Congress, I held forums, the Downing Street Minutes hearings, wiretapping hearings, etc, and reports have been made. In this Congress, the Judiciary Committee has held more than 45 hearings on these matters, with major witnesses...[lists them, like former AGs, Patrick Fitzgerald, Monica Goodling, Kenneth Blackwell, Doug Feith, Scott MacLellan, etc.). We pursued criminal contempt against Miers and Bolten.. and we expect to take action against Rove for ignoring the subpoena. We opposed wiretapping. We opposed portions of the FISA bill.... We're not done yet. We will achieve accountablity. We must work together to rein in excesses of executive branch. Whether it's suspension of habeas corpus, internment of Japanese Americans, etc. the Exec Branch often overreaches during times of war. I was on Nixon's enemy list, I get the risks... It's worse today... So, our challenge is to find a way to work together to protect these rights and develop a record, a process that will stand the test of time. I hope today will be a beginning.

Lamar Smith: This is an anger management class. Nothing will come of this, re: impeachment. There's no intention to bring impeachment. Why? Because they know it won't pass. There's no evidence to support it. Congress can't do that simply because they dislike the president. Bush committed no crimes. After all these hearings, no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. Congress reeks of partisanship. We should be working on the price of gas, securing borders, etc. Pelosi promised bipartisanship, but this is not bipartisan. This is maligning the president and serves to impeach Congress's own credibility. [reads excerpt from House Rules... no use of language that ridicules the president].

Robert Wexler: I applaud your tenacity in calling for this hearing. We should begin impeachment hearings. The WH: serious abuses, high crimes, lying to Congress, WMD, illegal torture, firing US attorneys, ignoring subpoenas, etc. Never before in history has an admin. diminished the Constitutional powers of the legislative branch like this. Obstructs oversight. Rove, Mier, Bolten, etc. ignored Congress... didn't even appear, unprecedented... Distorted executive privelege... I'm convinced... we should hold hearings for impeachment. I don't come to this lightly... but when high crimes are committed, we have no other option. One branch checks the other's dangerous consolidation of power. This is not D or R issue, it is an American issue. They can run roughshod over ANY law with impunity. ... Only option left is impeachment hearings. ...