When Their Bills Fail in Congress, Democrats Pursue Their Agenda With Inquiries

The above is an omaha.com headine (near bottom of page), which points to this story:



Former Justice Department White House liaison Monica Goodling testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the House Judiciary Committee in this May 23, 2007 file photo. Congressional Democrats are using subpoenas and other investigatory powers to expose Bush administration missteps and push for policy changes even as they struggle at times to enact legislation. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)



Democrats Pursue Agenda With Inquiries
By CHARLES BABINGTON Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
Published Wednesday | August 22, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) - Congressional Democrats are using subpoenas and other investigatory powers to expose Bush administration missteps and push for policy changes even as they struggle at times to enact legislation.

Backed by hundreds of hearings that compel the administration's attention but often draw scant publicity, House and Senate Democrats are leaving their stamp on a range of governmental matters, without passing a bill.

Congressional inquiries have prompted the Federal Emergency Management Agency to test trailers used by displaced hurricane victims for formaldehyde poisoning. They triggered a Justice Department investigation into Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' role in firing federal prosecutors.

Other probes spurred the Army to recover millions of dollars in overpayments to private security contractors in Iraq. And the mere threat of Democratic-run hearings prompted President Bush, after months of resisting, to submit a controversial warrantless wiretap program to a special court's review.

Congress' oversight and investigative powers are especially vital to Democrats because a potent GOP minority in the Senate has kept them from passing legislation on issues such as immigration and an Iraq withdrawal plan.

"Maybe it's even more important than legislation," said Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., a key player who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.



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uhc note: Interesting headline from the Omaha Times. Looks like their spin machine is cranked up.

than constitution-eroding laws against the citizenry