We’re watching the hearing so you don’t have to. This is Attorney General Eric Holder’s sixth appearance before the powerful House Judiciary Committee. We’re expecting questions around major issues including, the AP phone records seizure, the growing IRS illegally targeting tea party groups scandal, Pigford, and the Boston Marathon bombings.
Hearing adjourned. Thank God.
Chairman Goodlatte to Sheila Jackson Lee: “We’re not putting in reports that don’t exist, only reports that exists.” #DOJ
— Ali A. Akbar (@ali) May 15, 2013
NPR: Eric Holder Isn’t Sure How Often Reporters’ Records Are Seizednpr.org/blogs/thetwo-w…
— Robert Stacy McCain (@rsmccain) May 15, 2013
Remember… anyone can be a Congressman. Even those who have no idea how the tax system or government works.
Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fl.) knows nothing about the tax system. Wow. Tax-exempt orgs aren’t “subsidized by the taxpayer.” Idiot.
— Ali A. Akbar (@ali) May 15, 2013
Deutch: “C4s are being created for the sole purpose of funneling cash to Super-PACs.”
Ted Deutch (D-FL) talking about “so-called social welfare groups,” which he never complained about in regard to any liberal group.
Deutch: “Are there too many groups who claim tax exempt status by claiming they are not for profit groups?”
Rep. Deutch up now.
Franks: “18,000 instances since 2003. Have you enforced it once?”
Franks is asking about the Gosnell case. Wants to know what DOJ will do about enforcement of Borderline Infant Protection Act.
Trent Franks brings up #KermitGosnell in #Holder Judiciary Hearing. #Scandal
— Matthew Boyle (@mboyle1) May 15, 2013
Trent Franks (R) up now.
Holder “Racial profiling is not good law enforcement.” Says Al Qaida actually looks for people with “clean skins” for recruitment.
Judy Chu (D) asking Holder about racial profiling. Says DOJ’s guidelines are outdated.
Now, Judy Chu wants to ask about racial profiling in the Boston bombing investigation.
One-trick pony, eh?
What’s with the hate-crime questions? Can we revise the form to include hatred of Jehovah’s Witnesses? Because if they knock on my door one more time …
Helium + Hank Johnson = Soon to Be Trending
#HankJohnsonQuestions Hank Johnson actually just asked some question about helium legislation they passed to make sure people get heilium
— Chip Terd #RollTerd (@SimonTemplarPV) May 15, 2013
Rep. Judy Chu (D-Ca.) focuses on discrimination and hate crimes
This is going to be a long hearing. Break time for me.
Sheila Jackson Lee and Issa trending nation-wide on Twitter.
Steve King (R-Iowa) asking about the potential of a detainee at Bagram AFB
See Holder is comfortable commenting on the investigation if it favors him. Just said the AP shouldn’t be prosecuted, just the leaker.
— Ali A. Akbar (@ali) May 15, 2013
Rep. Cohen (D-TN) is next
With regard for the email request, Holder says “If it’s relevant, then it’s something we’d consider.”
Sheila Jackson Lee wouldn’t know a ‘point of order’ from a hole in the ground.
Issa points out that Thomas Perez has 2 non-govt accounts he uses for government business. “Will you make emails from those accounts available?”
Rep. Issa - Is there a reason why we were given emails with everything redacted except for the to and from fields?
Holder - Im’ sure there was a reason, but I don’t know.
Issa - It’s because you didn’t want us to see the information in the emails.
Shelia Jackson Lee just lied to the public and misrepresented not only the rules of the Committee, but also the Constitution. It’s entirely shameful and disgusting.
Holder calling Issa’s conduct as a Representative: “unacceptable and shameful”
Point of Order from Rep Jackson Lee - She is outraged that Rep Issa used a recording of Tom Perez in the hearing.
Shelia Jackson Lee pulling a filibuster in the House hearing. Obstructionist.
— Ali A. Akbar (@ali) May 15, 2013
Chair: “Lee’s point of order is not well-taken because there is no such rule.”
The relationship between Holder/Goodlatte is very different than the relationship between Holder/Issa. Judiciary/Oversight Committees.
— Ali A. Akbar (@ali) May 15, 2013
Issa: “There was a quid pro quo - a trade - in return for dropping a case your department didn’t want to handle. Is that appropriate?”
Rep. Darrell Issa is slamming Tom Perez. Plays recording. Issa is also the powerful House Oversight Committee Chairman.
Issa plays voice mail recording of Thomas Perez “arranging for something to not be disclosed.” Asks Holder if it’s appropriate.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Ca.)
Issa playing a recording on Tom Perez
Darrell Issa up next.
Holder - Yes
Jackson Lee - I want to make it clear that you rent taking the IRS lightly, that this is now a federal criminal investigation?
Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (D-Tx.) says her line of questioning is “yes/no”
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) is next. Starts by talking about border security
Small conservative groups describe big burdens of #IRS scrutiny aclj.us/3pv7 IRS targeting widespread via @reuters
— Jay Sekulow (@JaySekulow) May 15, 2013
Holder - I don’t know
At what point in time between the time the investigation starting and the subpoenas of the press did your recusal start
Of interest: Doesn’t appear to be a standard procedure for AG recusal.
— David M. Drucker (@DavidMDrucker) May 15, 2013
.@ap just got a ton of ammo from Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Al.). Holder in deep now. This could have just exposed some serious shady activity.
— Ali A. Akbar (@ali) May 15, 2013
Holder - yes
Bachus - Were you aware of a leak to the press?
Bachus - Did you have knowledge there was going to be an investigation?
Holder - Yes I appointed investigators
I mean: Wow.
Holder - no
Bachus - Do you not do so formally in writing? So that we can see a time and place of recusal?
Holder refuses to encourage his Deputy to appear before the Committee. Says he will instead convey the Committee’s wishes.
— Ali A. Akbar (@ali) May 15, 2013
Holder - Towards the beginning
Bachus - When did you recuse yourself?
Holder “not sure” when he recused himself. Red. Flag.
Holder - I will certainly let him know your feelings
Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL) Will you urge the deputy to appear before this committee?
Lofgren - It seems to me the damage done to a free press is substantial
Holder implies that he will be active in the case again? Whaaaa. Holder: “When I can be back involved in it…”
Lofgren - “These records should not be obtained in a compulsory manner unless it would impair the negotiations. The phone records would never disappear. How would it be the case that it would ‘impair negotiations’?”
holder - upon my recusal he becomes the acting attorney general and that comes with all of its powers
Question for historians: Has an Attorney General ever recused himself from an investigation because he does regular press conferences?
— Ali A. Akbar (@ali) May 15, 2013
Lofgren - Did you expressly approve the subpoenas of the AP reporters records via the deputy?
Holder’s recusal isn’t in writing. Whoa. Democrats now pressing on what the process was…
Lofgren - Doesn’t understand how or why Holder recuses himself
Lofgren: RE: AP “Confidential sources are now going to be chilled with the press.”
Lofgren is talking about the impairment of the 1st amendment with the wiretapping of the AP reporters
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D- CA)
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D- CA) is next
Chabot — I thought you might say that.
Holder: No.
Chabot - The administration has a habit of passing the buck and placing blame anywhere but themselves. Do you agree?
Holder - some inquiring into the 501(c)4 groups is appropriate
Holder - I don’t know.
Chabot - Do you think these were indeed low level worker who decided to discriminate against the tea party groups? Or do you think it goes higher?
Chabot - The admin immediately started spinning the IRS scandal as a local Cincinnati scandal
Chabot - This administration is now involved in three major scandals
Should the standards of a business translate to government, meaning the person at the top of the chain, even if they don’t know what’s going on below them at all times, should be held accountable
This is the awful thing about the House Judiciary Committee: There is bipartisan love to protect Hollywood and hurt the consumer. Fact.
— Ali A. Akbar (@ali) May 15, 2013
Rep. Chabot (R-OH)
Chabot - Tone at the Top
Rep. Chabot (R-OH) next
Watt confirms the baby is his grandson
Terrorists using Hollywood? Politicians pushing for stronger IP laws to protect Hollywood. Also asserting that it would hurt Terrorists. Hashtag: eyeroll.
Watt’s baby now crying and interrupting the hearing…Audience laughs
Baby.
Eric Holder’s testimony today has already generated two separate news stories on two separate scandals.
Holder: Looking into new tools to bring felony cases as opposed to just misdemeanor cases
Asking about Intellectual Property Copyright infringement as it pertains to streaming online
Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC) with a baby in his lap is next
Holder: I don’t know
Smith (R): What civil recourse could the targeted take?
Holder: Civil Rights violations, False statements
And here is the story folks.
Smith: What are some laws that could have been violated?
Press take note: Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee are extremely fair. Not taking political cheap-shots. Not even close. #DOJ
— Ali A. Akbar (@ali) May 15, 2013
Holder: yes
Smith: Is your investigation into the IRS going to go beyond Cincinnati and become a national investigation?
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX)
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) next
Chairman Bob Goodlatte has stepped out. Rep. Sensennbrener (R- WI) now running the hearing…
The first big headline out of this hearing:
Justice Dept. confirms that Deputy AG James Cole authorized subpoenas in @ap case
— John Gramlich (@johngramlich) May 15, 2013
Holder: Courts, probation officers have to have sufficient funds. As we are thinking about sequester fixes, I would ask everyone to consider the court system
Scott: The effects of sequester on the DOJ?
Holder doesn’t know if there are gaps in the code which would make it hard to pursue actin against IRS agents. He doesn’t know.
Scott - IRS agents have apologized. Does an apology immunize you from criminal action?
Holder: NO
SOMEONE’S GOING TO JAIL.
Scott - Are there any gaps in the criminal code that would make it difficult to pursue a case against IRS agents that discriminated against certain groups?
I forget what this Tweet was actually about.
Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) to Holder, “I’m having a senior moment, maybe it’ll come back to me…maybe it wont.”
— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) May 15, 2013
Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) next
Coble: “Senior moment recovered”
Wait — I must have missed something — Eric Holder taking responsibility?
BREAKING: Eric Holder just stated he in fact DOES have responsibility. We’ll get back to you when we figure out what they are.
— Matthew H.(@Matthops82) May 15, 2013
First time for everything, I guess.
Coble: Forgets his next question
Holder: We have seen incidents in the past, and It was a preventative statement
Coble: Can you share with us why you warned about committing acts of violence against muslims?
Hey Holder, the reason countries won’t take back some of the detainees in Guantanamo is because the prisoners are BAD GUYS.
— Elissa Roberson (@ElissaRoberson) May 15, 2013
Coble- Hits Frmr Sec. of State Hillary Clinton for “What difference does it make?” comment
UMBRAGE!!!!
Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC)
Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) next
Chairman Goodlatte says the Committee has requested that Tom Perez appear. “He has refused the Committee’s request.”
Rep. Mick Mulvaney, who isn’t even on Judiciary, just showed up to watch hearing from the back of the room, grinning, then leaving again.
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) May 15, 2013
Holder: I’m with you, we should close it.
Nadler: What can the President do without congress to close Gitmo?
It’s clear republicans want to get answers on growing scandals in Washington. Democrats want to get Assistant Attorney General Tom Perez confirmed as Labor Secretary
Gitmo
Just for fun:
Hee-yahhhhhh!
Nadler wants Holder to comment on Tom Perez as Assistant Attorney General’s greatness again…
Rep Nadler (D-NY)
Nadler hits Republicans for inconsistency in outrage over getting information on leakers
Rep Nadler (D-NY) up next
This is REALLY interesting. Holder knowing AP questions would come up didn’t ask his Deputy yesterday if he authorized the subpoena. Just got confirmation during THIS hearing… Wow.
Sensennbrenner: There doesn’t seem to be any acceptance of responsibility in the DOJ for ANYTHING that goes wrong
Confirmed: Deputy authorized subpoena.
Holder cannot say for sure who authorized the AP subpoena because of his recusal. So he says.
Holder: I don’t know. I have to assume my deputy
Sensennbrenner: Who authorized the subpoena of the AP?
Holder: I recused myself because I would be a “fact witness” because I deal with the press, because I am a possessor of the information which was ultimately leaked.
Rep. Sensennbrener (R- WI) questions next.
He’s trying to hypnotize the committee into a coma. @katiepavlich
— Robert Stacy McCain (@rsmccain) May 15, 2013
Rep. Sensennbrener (R- WI)
Holder: Banks are not Too Big To JAIL
Holder: “Banks are not to big to jail.”
OCCUPY HOUSE JUDICIARY HEARING: Conyers wants to bring case against large financial institutions because of the lack of fairness in the wealth distribution in America
Conyers now on to “Banks being too big to prosecute”. Economy is “due to Wall St. intransigence”. Wants to know what cases will be brought against corporations and banks.
Holder: If you look at Tom Perez’s record, he has done what we expect and exemplifies the “conscious of the Justice Dept.”
Eric Holder Testimony Drinking Game Winner? “Recused” is in contention.
So apparently Holder recusing himself from the AP case means he never received updates about the PHONE TAPPING of reporters
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) May 15, 2013
Conyers now lobbing Tom Perez softball question to help Holder lay the blame?
Conyers First Question: Did Tom Perez, Assistant Attorney General, mismanage employees in the Civil Rights division?
Conyers calling Republicans hypocrites for not supporting particular shield laws in the past… politely.
Second time Conyers has brought up the Free-Flow of Information Act
Ranking Democrat Conyers questions next…
Did you seek the AP’s help before the phone records were secretly taken?
Holder: I don’t kow
Will ‘I don’t know’ help dodge a perjury rap?
Holder: I recused myself from the case.
Objectively, Chairman Goodlatte is extremely competent…
Holder: I don’t know why it happened
Eric Holder finding reasons not to answer questions.
Goodlatte asks about AP reporters wiretapping
Holder points out that the RNC called for his resignation on the AP phone records issue even though he is not part of the case.
He would suggest the Congress work with DOJ and the President to adjust the rules, according to the “world we live in now”
Holder says we need new rules/legislation to handle Boston bomber questioning.
Holder: “There is a tension between the Public Safety Exception, and Rule 5, the Rules of Criminal Procedure.”
Goodlatte asks about miranda rules
Chariman Goodlatte asks about the information that was known about Tamerlin Tsarnaev before the Boston attacks.
Chairman Goodlatte allotts himself 5 minutes for questioning…
Holder notes he didn’t use all of his 5 minutes.
Goodlatte: “You were close.”
Holder calls for passage of stop-gap funding to avoid Sequester contraints in 2014.
Holder praises the Gang of 8 immigration reform blueprint
Holder calls for the passage of comprehensive immigration reform. References the Senate bill. Doesn’t acknowledge House legislation.
Holder focusing on DOJ’s role in combating discrimination…
Holder’s opening statement so far: DOJ is awesome under my watch!
Chairman Goodlatte tweeted before the hearing…
Follow @housejudiciary for live updates from today’s hearing with Attorney General #Holder on #DOJ #oversight. #AP #IRS
— Bob Goodlatte (@RepGoodlatte) May 15, 2013
“House Judiciary Committee” trending nation-wide on Twitter
HOLDER: “So Help Me God”
Holder raised his right hand and promised to “tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help him God”
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) May 15, 2013
Holder opening statement…
Will anybody ask Holder about collusion with Media Matters?
Flashback: Emails Expose Relationship Between DOJ, Media Matters shar.es/ZfpuJ via @breitbartnews cc: @elilake
— John Nolte(@NolteNC) May 15, 2013
Goodlatte reading Holder’s bio…
Eric Holder sworn in by Chairman Goodlatte
Dana Milbank brought a thermometer to Holder hearing “to see if there’s a chilling effect” #BOLO twitter.com/daveweigel/sta…
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) May 15, 2013
Meanwhile, Rep. Mark Sanford (R-SC) is back and weighing in on the Obama scandals slate.com/blogs/weigel/2… #BOLO
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) May 15, 2013
Conyers then recognizes Holder’s “Dedication to civil rights discrimination cases” especially when it comes to “voting rights’
Is John Conyers nominating Eric Holder for the Nobel Peace Prize or what?
Conyers says no one will be harder on discriminatory actions by a government agency, than him…
CODE PINK IN DA HOUSE!
We have Code Pink arriving at Holder hearing in Gitmo gear twitter.com/daveweigel/sta…
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) May 15, 2013
Conyers brings up the IRS scandal first
Conyers, is “troubled” by the government’s pursuit of AP reporters phone records and notes that Holder has recused himself from that.
Goodlatte hands the hearing over to Ranking Democrat John Conyers (Mi), the ranking Democrat to give his opening statement.
Point of Order…”That is not what the sub-committee found”
Goodlatte - “The Gentleman will have an opportunity to speak later.”
Democrat interrupts… out of order.
Goodlatte wants details on how the DOJ is handling the Sequester. Points out some good and some much-needed reforms.
Goodlatte expresses his concern about the information the FBI and Law Enforcement had about the Boston bombers before the attacks.
Goodlatte welcomes Holder with a congratulations to Holder, the FBI and other law enforcement for their good work in bringing the Boston Bombers to justice.
Goodlatte’s opening talks about Boston. Expected topics today: Boston, Pigford, AP/DOJ records issue, IRS/tea party scandal. 2nd Amendment and immigration may come up by low ranking members.
This is Holder’s 6th appearance before the powerful House Judiciary Committee.
Goodlatte is calling the hearing to order. Giving a warning to the audience to behave or face being removed.
Chairman Goodlatte and Attorney General Holder just entered the hearing room.
I’ll be joined with Executive Editor Adam Hose, and Editor in Chief Robert Stacy McCain.
I’m told that the House Judiciary Committee will be bringing up #Pigford at this hearing with #Holder as well. #DOJ
— Ali A. Akbar (@ali) May 15, 2013
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