On Oversight of the Department of Justice
And the Imperial Presidency of George W. Bush

The House Judiciary Committee will question and hear testimony from Attorney General Michael Mukasey on Wednesday beginning at 10 a.m. in a hearing on oversight the U.S. Department of Justice, according to the committee’s Website.

Then on July 25, the committee will hold a hearing on the Imperial Presidency of George W. Bush and possible legal responses.

“Over the last seven plus years, there have been numerous credible allegations of serious misconduct by officials in the Bush Administration,” Conyers said in a statement. “At the same time, the administration has adopted what many would describe as a radical view of its own powers and authorities. As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I believe it is imperative that we pursue a comprehensive review commensurate to this constitutionally dangerous combination of circumstances. Friday’s hearings will be an important part of that ongoing effort.”

The Committee is expected to examine a range of legal and legislative responses to allegations of administration misconduct and their expansion of executive branch power.

Since the beginning of the 110th Congress, the Committee has conducted extensive oversight into allegations of misconduct by the administration, including: (1) improper politicization of the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorneys’ offices, including potential misuse of authority with regard to election and voting controversies; (2) misuse of executive branch authority and the adoption and implementation of the so-called unitary executive theory, including in the areas of presidential signing statements and regulatory authority; (3) misuse of investigatory and detention authority with regard to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals, including questions regarding the legality of the administration’s surveillance, detention, interrogation, and rendition programs; (4) manipulation of intelligence and misuse of war powers, including possible misrepresentations to Congress related thereto; (5) improper retaliation against administration critics, including disclosing information concerning CIA operative Valerie Plame, and obstruction of justice related thereto; and (6) misuse of authority in denying Congress and the American people the ability to oversee and scrutinize conduct within the administration, including through the use of various asserted privileges and immunities.

The July 25 hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in room 2141 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Additional information, including witness participation, will be announced.

To coincide with the hearings, the National Impeachment Network (NIN) began its “Choose the Constitution” campaign to bring citizens to Washington, D.C., from July 21 to 25 to personally tell members of Congress to Choose the Constitution by using the remedy of impeachment and to ask them to attend the hearing on impeachment of the full House Judiciary Committee on July 25 at 10 a.m.

The second goal is to expand the news of the hearings nationwide and to ask the media for coverage. For those in D.C. on July 25 there will be a pre-hearing rally at 9 a.m. in front of the Rayburn Building.

Delegation members have been astounded by the response they’ve received, according to the group’s press release.

“During our two week lobbying experience in D.C. we have found the most effective way to present our message is in-person,” says Cynthia Papermaster, NIN Co-Founder.

The NIN lobbyists are taking a positive, supportive approach toward Congress members who have already voiced their support for impeachment, she said. To date more than forty members of Congress have cosponsors of articles of impeachment or demanded immediate impeachment hearings.

During their first three days in D.C., members of the NIN delegation met with Representatives Mike Hinchey (D) New York, Dennis Kucinich (D) Ohio, John Conyers (D) Michigan, Robert Wexler (D) Florida, Lynn Woolsey (D) California and Walter Jones (R) North Carolina.

Following a Wednesday, July 9, afternoon meeting with Dennis Kucinich in which he said he was sending an announcement to members of Congress regarding the presentation of a new impeachment resolution, and after an hour-long early evening meeting with Judiciary Chairman, John Conyers, on Thursday morning Nancy Pelosi said “impeachment hearings may take place.”

One of the goals of the lobbying effort is to present “win-win” solutions,” she said. “They have considered the dilemma that Congressional Representatives find themselves in during this re-election season when most people are concerned about the economy, fuel prices, mortgages and health care.”

Democratic members are concerned that memories of the Clinton impeachment will create a negative backlash from their constituents. The group has offered to work with Congress, to educate and rally the people, and has assured them of support during the election if they stand up for impeachment.

The group offers evidence and reminders of the Nixon years and reminds people that House and Senate members took the first steps towards impeachment then and “have gone down in history.”

Also, a look at history shows that the party that starts impeachment wins the next election.

The National Impeachment Network is a non-partisan umbrella under which activist groups, businesses and individuals that support the impeachment process provided under the constitution can unite, coordinate, and expand the movement. Currently NIN reaches out to more than 40 coordinators and 160,000 activists who in turn reach out to more groups, friends and neighbors.

“Due to continuing education and outreach to members of Congress and the public the movement for impeachment is becoming louder,” the group says.

The next and greatest challenge, she said, is to getting the media to report on it.

For more information contact Cynthia Papermaster, Co-founder and NIN representative in Washington, D.C., at (510)333-6097, or Sandra Marshall in California at (805) 440-2547.

To learn more about the National Impeachment Network visit Nationalimpeachment.org.

Come to DC for this Historic Moment:
“Hearing on the Imperial Presidency of George W. Bush”

July 22 - 24: “Impeachment Lobbying Days”
House of Representatives

July 25, 9 a.m.: “Choose the Constitution”
Press Conference and Rally
Rayburn Building, Independence Avenue

July 25, 10 a.m.: Hearing “The Imperial Presidency of George W. Bush”
House Judiciary Committee, Rayburn Bldg, Rm. 2141

“There are two panels being planned for the hearing. One consisting of Kucinich and four other members of Congress (Jane Harman, Walter Jones, Brad Miller, and Maurice Hinchey); the other consisting of five non-Congress Members (Elizabeth Holtzman, Bruce Fein, Frederick Schwartz, John Dean, and Bob Barr).”

As of Tuesday more than 87 thousand people have signed a petition asking the Judiciary Committee to hold Karl Rove in contempt of Congress for ignoring a House subpoena and to send him to jail.

Rove’s attorney Robert Luskin asserted executive privilege as an excuse to ignore Congress; however, President Bush has not invoked the privilege, according to FireDogLake.com.

And why would he, since that would be an admission that the President sought advice on the politicization of the Department of Justice?

Furthermore, Rep. Linda Sanchez of the House Judiciary says absolute immunity only applies to current executive aides.

Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman was interviewed about the events and is quoted in this short video.