FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16, 2005

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi to Hastert: Sensenbrenner’s Attempt to Silence Democrats Cannot Be Condoned by the House

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi sent the following letter to Speaker Hastert today on Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner’s attempt to silence Democrats at a hearing last week.  Below is the text of letter:

June 16, 2005

The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert

Speaker

U.S. House of Representatives

H-232 The Capitol

Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker,

It is with profound disappointment that I again write to request that as Speaker you ensure that the Majority conducts all proceedings in accordance with the Rules of this House, and that the Majority fosters an atmosphere of civility and comity.

Since my letter to you of May 18th, the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee again violated both the letter and spirit of the House Rules.  Last Friday, at a widely-covered hearing that ironically sought to explore the impact of the Patriot Act on civil liberties, the Chairman and his staff attempted to suppress free speech.

Throughout Friday’s Judiciary Committee hearing, the Chairman treated Democratic Members and the witnesses with hostility and contempt.  He disparaged Democratic Members, refused to entertain points of order, and in violation of the Rules, abruptly adjourned the hearing in a fit of pique.  Then the Republican staff tried to silence the Democratic Members by cutting the microphones. 

The Chairman’s actions at the hearing, as well as his earlier arbitrary scheduling demands, had the effect of rendering meaningless the Minority’s right under Rule XI to its day of hearings with its own witnesses.  These actions brought discredit upon the House.

Once again, we are faced with the sorry spectacle of a resolution raising a question of the privileges of the House involving the conduct of the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. 

Mr. Nadler’s resolution is at heart about a fundamental tenet of our democracy:  the rights of the minority to be heard in a meaningful way.  It is also about decorum, comity, and respect for each other and for the Rules.  I am certain that you agree that the House Rules serve all Members.  Ultimately, the Rules of the House are the best defense for all of us.  They help our democracy function, and ensure that the voices of millions of Americans are represented. 

Turning off the microphones, berating witnesses, disparaging Democratic Members, refusing to hear parliamentary inquiries – these actions cannot and must not be condoned by this House.  

The fact that the Republican leadership has remained silent on the latest outrage has not escaped notice by outside observers such as the respected Congressional scholar Norm Ornstein, who is affiliated with the conservative American Enterprise Institute.  Mr. Ornstein also wrote that “Jim Sensenbrenner is the new poster child for the arrogance of power run amok.”

These blatant violations of the Rules and the ugly displays of disrespect toward Members and witnesses call for action by you and the entire House.

Once again, as the House Democratic Leader, I insist that all Members be treated with the utmost respect and consideration they deserve, and that the Majority, particularly Committee Chairs, comply at all times with the Rules of this House.

I request that you publicly disavow the disgraceful behavior of Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, order Mr. Sensenbrenner to issue an apology to the House, to the witnesses at the hearing, and to the Democratic Judiciary Committee Members, and promise that this shameful behavior will never again happen.

I look forward to your reply.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Nancy Pelosi

Democratic Leader

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi