Top progressive calls for Pompeo's salary to be withheld over Sondland's blocked testimony

Source: The Hill

Top progressive calls for Pompeo's salary to be withheld over Sondland's blocked testimony
BY JULIEGRACE BRUFKE - 10/08/19 05:43 PM EDT

Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) is advocating for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s salary to be withheld until EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland is permitted to testify before Congress as part of Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.

In a letter sent to Pompeo on Tuesday, the Democrat who is one of the co-chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, argued that a provision of the law allows Congress to withhold any federal official’s compensation if they prevent another government employee from communicating with lawmakers or committees. ... The letter came after the State Department blocked Sondland from testifying in a House deposition scheduled for Tuesday, ramping up tensions between congressional Democrats and the Trump administration amid an impeachment inquiry.

Pocan in his letter referred to "section 713 of Division D of Public Law 116-6 signed by the President earlier this year." ... "As you are aware, this section prohibits paying the salary of any ‘officer or employee of the Federal Government who prohibits or prevents…any other officer or employee of the Federal Government from…communication or contact with any Member, committee, or subcommittee of the Congress,’” the Wisconsin Democrat wrote.

“I believe the person prohibiting Ambassador Sondland from testifying before the House Intelligence Committee is in violation of this statute, and that their salary should be withheld until Ambassador Sondland appears before Congress," Pocan also wrote.

Pocan also referred to a story from The Wall Street Journal last week that reported Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) saying he had been told by Sondland of a quid pro quo tying nearly $400 million in aid to Ukraine to a commitment from the country to probe matters arising from the 2016 election.

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Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/464918-top-progressive-calls-for-pompeos-salary-to-be-withheld-over-sondlands-blocked

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I'm not fond of that headline. I'll replace it when I can.

Hat tip, commenter JHunter at Joe.My.God, who linked to Pocan's tweet.

WH Letter To Pelosi: We Won’t Cooperate With Probe

https://www.joemygod.com/2019/10/wh-letter-to-pelosi-we-wont-cooperate-with-probe/

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Just sent @SecPompeo a letter flagging that the Feb 2019 spending bill prohibits pay to federal officials who prevent other officials from communicating with Congress.

We refuse to bankroll this administration while they hold witnesses hostage. Sondland must testify on Ukraine.

Link to tweet