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January 31, 2007 at 22:19:18

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Congress Is No Longer Silent

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By John Conyers (about the author)     Page 1 of 1 page(s)

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For OpEdNews: John Conyers - Writer

Today marks the first hearing I will conduct in the Judiciary Committee since taking over as Chairman and this feels like a momentous occasion.

Our country has been run, far too long, by an Administration that seeks to rule in secrecy. The Bush White House has ignored our founding fathers' separation of powers, claiming an ever increasing scope of authority in direct conflict with the constitution.

For the past six years Congress has been silent, watching idly as its powers are usurped.

No longer.


Today we embark on a vigorous defense of our nation, reclaiming our constitution and reasserting the authority of Congress in our tripartite system of government.

Our hearing today is on presidential signing statements. So far, the Bush White House has issued nearly 150 signing statements challenging over 1,100 provisions of law.

More than all previous presidents combined.

What does this mean? We don't know. When the White House issues a signing statement indicating they do not feel bound by an Act of Congress, we don't know if they have actually acted to violate that law.

The signing statement surely indicates intent to ignore laws and contempt for Congress and the constitution, but the administration has never had to explain the extent to which it has acted upon these signing statements.

Our hearing this morning will ask these questions and convey forcefully the message from Congress that we no longer give license to the Bush White House to ignore the constitution and govern in secret.

Starting at 10:15 this morning, we will be webcasting today's hearing. Please feel free to join us here.

 

Representative John Conyers, Jr., a Detroit Democrat, was re-elected to the 14th Congressional District in November 2004, to his 20 term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.

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John Conyers ROCKS as Judiciary Committee Chair by Tim Riley on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 12:43:18 AM
HOORAY for our Nation! by Pat on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 2:19:39 AM
A cold shower by ardee D. on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 7:20:36 AM
over by Matt Kovach on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 12:57:44 PM
You go, John! Give 'em hell, or to paraphrase Truman by Steven Leser on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 7:30:11 AM
How about... by Charlie L on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 11:51:05 AM
Re; congress not to be Silent by Eliot Gould on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 3:43:44 PM
Please use your Enter [RETURN] key by Tim Riley on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 5:33:47 PM
read your comment by Eliot Gould on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 5:57:42 PM
Stop wasting time! IMPEACH AND CONVICT NOW! by John Perry on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 4:11:31 PM
Where do you propose to get the 17 Republican votes needed by Steven Leser on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 at 7:28:38 AM
No longer silent by Mark A. Goldman on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 4:23:07 PM
Where do you propose we get the 17 Republican votes if by Steven Leser on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 at 7:29:16 AM
Thank God, that investigations have finally begun by Sleeper on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 5:39:57 PM
It's too little too late. by jpsmith123 on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 5:51:37 PM
too little and too late by Fred F on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 6:55:17 PM
Where do we get the 17 Republican votes needed to impeach by Steven Leser on Friday, Feb 2, 2007 at 7:30:20 AM
Done to much to iran already? by billp37 on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 6:55:42 PM
too little, too late.... by richard on Thursday, Feb 1, 2007 at 10:43:14 PM
John Conyers should be charged with treason by Sue on Saturday, Feb 3, 2007 at 9:40:05 AM
There's no place like home by Sleeper on Saturday, Feb 3, 2007 at 7:09:13 PM

 

 

 

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