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Payback Time: Who the Democrats Will Target
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ShareNovember 08, 2006 8:24 AM
Halliburton, the CIA and big tobacco companies are among the early targets identified by top Democratic staff to ABC News as likely targets for investigation once the Democrats take control of the House at the beginning of next year.
The staffers say Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), now expected to become speaker, has told top Democratic donors there is a "100-hour agenda" she wants to push through -- taking on the minimum wage, drug and energy prices and corruption.
THE BLOTTER RECOMMENDS
Defense contractors, including Halliburton, the intelligence rationale for the war in Iraq and CIA secret prisons are what one staffer called "uninvestigated scandals."
Here's a look at who's in line to take over the most powerful committee chairmanships and the investigations they are likely to pursue:
In the House:
Henry Waxman (D-Calif.): Described as "a pit-bull with a fantastic staff," Rep. Waxman is in place to take over as chairman of the powerful House Government Reform Committee. Insiders look for this to become the powerhouse investigating committee "where the action is at." Expect Rep. Waxman to start by issuing subpoenas for top Halliburton and KBR executives. Others issues will include Iraq war contracting and Katrina and Gulf Coast re-building.
The last time executives from tobacco companies were called to testify was when Congressman Waxman was Chairman of the Health and Environment Subcommittee of Government Reform in 1994.
Jane Harman (D-Calif.): As a possibility for Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Harman is eager to pursue the ties between convicted Congressman Duke Cunningham and defense contractors. But she is far from assured of taking over as chair of the committee due to long-standing opposition by the Congressional Black Caucus and Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) who wants the job himself. Insiders say the job most likely goes to Sylvester Reyes (D-Texas).
Regardless of who is chairman, one of the first issues most likely will be the Cunningham scandal. Also on the agenda is pre-war intelligence: Who forged the Niger documents?
George Miller (D-Calif.): Rep. Miller is slated to take over the Education and the Workforce Committee. Expect a full rehearing of allegations involving convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the Northern Marianas Islands and Tom Delay.
John Conyers (D-Mich.): Rep. Conyers is in line to take over the Judiciary Committee. While one top hill staffer says, "His appetite for true investigation is untested," his new book takes on President Bush for violating the law on Iraq and secret prisons. Internet blogs are hyperventilating about possible impeachment hearings.
John Dingell (D-Mich.): In line for the Chairman of the House Commerce Committee, Rep. Dingell's office says he plans to hold oversight hearings on Medicare and energy policies. His first goal would be to push through a bill aimed at lower prescription drug prices for Medicare.
November 8, 2006 | Permalink | User Comments (819)
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Time to conduct a thorough and truly independent investigation of 9/11.
Posted by: John | Nov 8, 2006 8:52:19 AM
I am a republican, but thank goodness that more women are getting in there to take charge.
Posted by: Judy | Nov 8, 2006 9:17:35 AM
I hope the Dems understand that this country is sick and tired of the partisanship in DC and want somethings to get done. I voted Democratic to send a message to Bush & Co about Iraq and the right wing nuts controlling domestic politics. Don't make me regret my vote.
If impeachment and investigations are all that we can expect from this leadership team, then Democrats can expect to lose in 2 years. Americans want results.
Posted by: Concerned citizen | Nov 8, 2006 9:17:53 AM
Democrats would rather spend tens of billions of dollars on foreign companies working in the middle east instead of the American company Haliburton. I call that anti-Americanism.
Posted by: RA | Nov 8, 2006 9:21:52 AM
It causes me concern that Nancy Pelosi has stated that Halliburton, CIA, and tobacco companies are early targets for them. They need to get on with real business. Voters wanted change. Not adults acting like children.
Posted by: Shirley | Nov 8, 2006 9:29:42 AM
I find no comfort in the fact the the priority of the new majority is for investigations into the former majority. While these are important issues they do not move the country forward. These items should be investigated but how about an agenda for progress?
Posted by: Eric | Nov 8, 2006 9:30:24 AM
This country is about to go to hell in handbasket.
Posted by: Moving to Canada | Nov 8, 2006 9:31:40 AM
I pray the dems don't focus their energy on the tired debate about the rationale for the Iraq war.
We know the intelligence was cherry-picked and we know the administration stretched the truth. That's what the election was about.
Dems - Please let that one go! There's much more important work to do.
Posted by: Jim R. | Nov 8, 2006 9:43:10 AM
Now we can move on to the next election and evict the rest of the Republican team from the White House.....it's time for reasonable changes,time to get out of the Iraq civil war, time to focus on American issues -- the economy and immigration....
Posted by: Jack Redavid | Nov 8, 2006 9:45:10 AM
100 hours of non-stop disaster...maybe Bush will be able to find his veto pen! Only two years til the next election...sigh.
Posted by: JIm Lumetta | Nov 8, 2006 9:51:57 AM
Congrats! You ran a great Campaign Ross.
Posted by: Brian L R | Nov 8, 2006 10:10:28 AM
Thank heaven there will finally be people trying to figure out what the heck is really going on - this has been a frightening time for foreign policy, but when people learn how busy this crowd has been messing around with the actual structures of government and domestic issues, all hell will break loose.
It was ok to spend 8 years and $70 million tax payer dollars investigating the entire Clinton family right down to their cat, but the GOP doesn't think we should learn why Halliburton has walked away with billions unaccounted for, and why our men and women lacked basic equipment?!
Posted by: Molly Gibbens | Nov 8, 2006 10:11:55 AM
I would really hope that the Democrats do not waste this opportunity getting revenge on the Republican Party. I am elated that they have taken control of House, but if the next two years are all about attacking Republicans instead of solving this countries problems, I will gladly welcome the GOP back in 2008.
Posted by: Michael | Nov 8, 2006 10:14:02 AM
Personally, I think the American people just publicly executed our economy and our national security. But, not being one to think the worst, we'll see if the American people cope well with being France. C'est la vie.
Posted by: T. Shelton | Nov 8, 2006 10:14:11 AM
Oh boy...here come the nuts!
Posted by: Ken Killian | Nov 8, 2006 10:15:49 AM
God help us.
Posted by: Steve Eisenberg | Nov 8, 2006 10:16:52 AM
say your prayers! Let's see where this democratic house takes us. Lots of animosity directed towards certain people and/or companies, but the country as a whole? The war? The possible amnesty for millions of illegals? The war on terrorism at a global level? The situation in Latin America with Chavez? That is, the leftism of both North and South America now that the democrats have taken over the house and possibly the senate?
What is their agenda? What is their position on many of the issues that directly affect the USA?
Moreover, President Bush seems disoriented at this moment. He seems to not know what is his next move in this chess game, now that the democrats have gained so many seats in the house and the war in Iraq is not developing into a victory for the USA.
The President too seems abandoned by those who were supposedly on his side.
Let's all work together for a better America regardless of political parties and personal grievences.
Posted by: jose | Nov 8, 2006 10:17:25 AM
Pathetic.
Posted by: g. sheldon | Nov 8, 2006 10:17:44 AM
so this is the "new direction?"
Posted by: mark | Nov 8, 2006 10:21:05 AM
HERE COME THE CLOWNS.
Posted by: Hankman | Nov 8, 2006 10:27:45 AM
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