'The time for accountability has arrived' as Democrats put White House under microscope

‘The time for accountability has arrived’ as Democrats put White House under microscope

BY LESLEY CLARK

JANUARY 01, 2019 05:00 AM,

UPDATED 4 HOURS 18 MINUTES AGO

WASHINGTON - Democrats taking control of the House Thursday have been waiting two years for this: Getting their hands on Donald Trump’s tax returns, investigating whether his businesses are improperly benefiting from his presidency and taking a deep look at the policy that separated migrant children from their parents.

Some lawmakers and much of the Democratic base would like party leaders to open impeachment proceedings against Trump without delay. But that’s unlikely to happen, as top Democrats are more inclined to pursue investigations that are deliberate and dispassionate, says Rep. Gerry Connelly, D-Virginia.

“For it to have credibility and to stick, it’s got to be methodical and fact-based,” Connelly said. “It can’t just be about emotion and that’s a balancing act we’re going to have to figure out here.”

Democrats will first have to figure out a way to work with Republicans and the White House to re-open parts of the government that have been shuttered since Dec. 22. The party’s leaders insist that won’t distract them from their watchdog mission.

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