October 26, 2021 - Response to McClintock, October 23, 2021.
Editor,
To explain his "no" vote to recommend that the House of Representatives find Stephen K. Bannon in contempt of Congress, Tom McClintock expounded, "the reasons for a congressional subpoena are limited to Congress’ [sic] oversight responsibilities over the bureaucracy and to inform its legislative duties... Congress has no authority to issue subpoenas merely to find out who did what to whom."
He is mistaken about this. This is not about, "merely... who did what to whom." It is a duly conducted investigation, the use of which is an essential part of the legislative powers of Congress. In Watkins vs USA, the Supreme Court ruled that "[The] power of the Congress to conduct investigations is inherent in the legislative process" and that "[it] is unquestionably the duty of all citizens to cooperate with the Congress in its efforts to obtain the facts needed for intelligent legislative action. It is their unremitting obligation to respond to subpoenas, to respect the dignity of the Congress and its committees and to testify fully with respect to matters within the province of proper investigation."
Ruth Ketvirtis
Midpines, CA
