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STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2012

FLOOR STATEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN WM. LACY CLAY (D) MISSOURI

ON THE HOLDER CONTEMPT RESOLUTION

(As prepared for delivery)

WASHINGTON, DC –

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE WM. LACY CLAY

THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2012

“Mr. Speaker,

I am a senior Member of the Oversight Committee. I know that the gun-walking operations conducted by the ATF under both the previous and current Administrations were absolutely wrong.

But the leadership of this House is focused on shameful election-year political posturing instead of the real issue.

The Justice Department long ago ended the practice of allowing these guns to “walk” across the border, putting communities in Mexico at great risk.

But the same people who have relentlessly pursued a baseless, partisan attack on Attorney General Holder and the president have ignored the desperate pleas of the Mexican government:

To strengthen American gun laws, and curb the gun trafficking that gave rise to the strategy in the first place.

But focusing on the real issue would take time away from their playing politics with their oversight authority.

Those on the other side of the aisle claim to be concerned about powerful assault weapons crossing the border into Mexico illegally. 

But how they can be completely fine with those same powerful assault weapons being sold right here in this country legally, putting our communities at even greater risk?

This is nothing more than a political witch-hunt.

The disgraceful posturing that I witnessed at last week’s markup has been continued on the Floor today.

I agree that it never should have to come to this.

But we are here debating this resolution solely because of the Majority.

They created the scandal, and produced the “showdown” during an election season, just to smear an honorable, dedicated public servant.

And to embarrass his boss.

I urge my colleagues to reject this nakedly partisan, unprecedented abuse of power and vote NO on this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.”

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