Darrell Issa reveals list of investigations

Investigations for impeachment for failing to seal the borders and giving aid and comfort to Mexicans that want to take back the South West should head the list.  While we're at it, how about an investigation to see if there is any undue "coziness" between the drug cartels and American officials and politicians?---rng  

There is certainly enough impeachable material there to indict a few or many more. -----lee.


By JAKE SHERMAN
1/3/11 6:01 AM EST Updated: 1/3/11 2:37 PM EST

     Rep. Darrell Issa is aiming to launch investigations on everything from WikiLeaks to Fannie Mae to corruption in Afghanistan in the first few months of what promises to be a high-profile chairmanship of the top oversight committee in Congress.
     According to an outline of hearing topics obtained by POLITICO, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is also planning to investigate how regulation affects job creation, the roles of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the foreclosure crisis, recalls at the Food and Drug Administration and the failure of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to agree on the causes of the market meltdown.
     The sweeping and specific hearing agenda shows that Issa plans to cut a wide swath as chairman, latching onto hot-button issues that could make his committee the center of attention in the opening months of the 112th Congress. By grabbing such a wide portfolio — especially in national security matters — Issa is also laying down a marker of sorts, which could cement his panel as the go-to place for investigations.
     An order for hearings has not been set and witnesses have not yet been notified. The committee staff is still moving offices, and subcommittees are currently being organized. Hearings aren’t likely to begin until late January or early February.
     Issa’s broad portfolio of investigations — some of which could target the Obama administration — harks back to the days of Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), who squared off against the Bush administration, and Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.), who picked fights with former President Bill Clinton’s White House.
     "If we can take any lessons away from the results of the midterm elections, it's that the American people will no longer tolerate a government that has institutionalized a culture of waste and abuse that acts carelessly with their tax dollars,” Issa spokesman Kurt Bardella said in a statement to POLITICO. “As chairman of this committee, [Rep.] Issa will pursue an agenda that aims to shed light on the failures of government for the purpose of reforming them so that the government is more transparent and accountable to the American people.”
     Issa’s counterpart will be the panel’s top Democrat, Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, who was given the top minority party position in order to be an effective foil to the aggressive chairman. Cummings, who represents Baltimore, said on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday that Congress must “be careful with this power” — referring to oversight — and use caution and austerity in hearings.
     “You know, I think we — I sat on this committee for 14 years and I watched what happened with the Clinton administration and how witnesses were dragged into depositions, people making $50,000 a year had to pay $25,000, $30,000 to hire a lawyer,” Cummings said.
     In a statement to POLITICO Sunday, Cummings said he would “draw a line at which any witch hunts or hearings that are conducted purely for partisan gains.”
     “Like Mr. Issa, I want to ask tough questions and ensure the highest standard from our public employees,” Cummings said. “However, I will ask him not to prejudge any of these issues, nor [to] seek answers only to confirm political leanings.”

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