Madison liberal Tammy Baldwin today voted against holding Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt for refusing to provide documents in relation to the Fast and Furious investigation.
Curiously, Baldwin had no problem supporting contempt resolutions for George W. Bush appointees Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten for failing to comply with subpoenas from the House Judiciary Committee. In fact, Baldwin even supported impeaching Vice-President Dick Cheney for “disregarding the rule of law.”
“Madison liberal Tammy Baldwin’s hypocrisy knows no boundaries and today is no different. When it comes to impeaching or holding Republicans in contempt of Congress she’s all for it, but when it comes to holding Democrats in contempt for stalling an investigation into a scandal which resulted in the death of a border patrol agent, she looks the other way.” – NRSC Spokesman Lance Trover
BACKGROUND…
Baldwin Voted To Adopt A Rule To Bring Contempt Resolutions For Harriet Miers And Joshua Bolten. “Adoption of the self-executing rule (H Res 982) that would provide for the adoption of two privileged resolutions. The first resolution (H Res 979) would recommend that the House of Representatives find former White House Counsel Harriet Miers and White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas issued by the Judiciary Committee regarding the dismissal of eight U.S. attorneys in December 2006. The second resolution (H Res 980) would authorize the Judiciary Committee to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas.” (H Res 979, H Res 980, CQ Vote #60, Adopted by a vote of 223-32: D 220-1; R 3-31, 2/14/08, Baldwin Voted Yea)
Baldwin: “This Show Of Contempt For Congress And The Rule Of Law Is Yet Another Appalling Example Of The Administration’s Abuse Of Power.” “Congresswoman Baldwin issued the following statement: ‘Harriet Miers was one of the most senior aides in the White House and is an attorney, well-versed in the law. She has every right to assert executive privilege when it is appropriate. Like any other citizen, though, she does not have the right to refuse to appear before Congress when subpoenaed, nor can she exert executive privilege when it is not justified. This show of contempt for Congress and the rule of law is yet another appalling example of the Administration’s abuse of power. It is the duty of the Congress – a co-equal branch of government – to serve as an effective check on possible abuses by the executive branch. In light of the actions of Ms. Miers and Mr. Bolton, I believe contempt citations are warranted.’” (Congresswoman Baldwin Press Release, “Rep. Baldwin Supports Contempt Citations For Miers, Bolton,” 7/25/07)
Baldwin Also Co-Sponsored A Bill To Impeach Vice President Cheney Saying “Time And Again, This President’s Utter Disregard For The Rule Of Law Proves Him Unworthy Of The People’s Trust And The Office He Holds.” “U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, wants to see the House impeach Vice President Dick Cheney. She also wants to investigate whether similar action should be taken against Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. And she is not alone on either front. The fifth-term congresswoman from south-central Wisconsin formally signed on this morning as a co-sponsor of House Resolution 333, the proposal by U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, to begin impeachment proceedings against the vice president. Baldwin is the 16th member of the House to agree to co-sponsor the resolution, and she is the fourth member of the House Judiciary Committee to do so. . . . Baldwin made no secret of her frustration with Bush and Cheney when she referred to the commuting of Libby’s sentence as ‘a perversion of justice.’ ‘The president told the American public that he would hold anyone in his administration involved in the Valerie Plame leak case accountable and now he is doing just the opposite. Time and again, this president’s utter disregard for the rule of law proves him unworthy of the people’s trust and the office he holds,’ said Baldwin, who is an attorney. ‘This decision is a shameful display of the cronyism and corruption that are disgraceful hallmarks of this Bush administration.’” (John Nichols, “Baldwin Backs Impeachment,” The Capital Times, 8/2/07)
- “Baldwin Is The First Member Of The Wisconsin Congressional Delegation To Sign On As A Co-Sponsor Of The Resolutions To Impeach Cheney And Gonzales. But Others Are Feeling The Heat. Impeachment Activists Have Targeted Democratic And Republican House Members With Petitions, Office Visits And Protests.” (John Nichols, “Baldwin Backs Impeachment,” The Capital Times, 8/2/07)
