Waxman looking into lobbyist's solicitation of Bush library funds

Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Beverly Hills) must be one of the fastest letter writers in Washington -- and also one of the most prolific.

One day after the Sunday Times of London wrote that Houston lobbyist Stephen P. Payne had sought funds for the George W. Bush presidential library in exchange for providing access to senior U.S. officials, the Beverly Hills Democrat had dashed off a letter to Payne, about the report and told him: "This is a matter that the Oversight Committee will investigate."

It's a striking report -- made all the more striking by video the Times posted on its website, and caused a flurry of attention Sunday and Monday.

Waxman noted the central charge to Payne, as if he didn't know: "You reportedly offered access to several senior U.S. government officials, including Vice President Cheney, in return for six-figure contributions to the library."

Payne has a week to answer Waxman's letter. Or else.

Or else?

Waxman is quick with the subpoena. Just ask Karl Rove.

-- James Gerstenzang

Photo: Tim Sloan / Agence France-Presse

Comments

Really earth shaking---how about doing something to reduce the price of OIL

[Carla]

Thank you Henry Waxman. We need someone in a position of power who can and will bring these types of political inequities to our attention. We hear about "watchdogs", but they very rarely report their findings without prolonged investigation. Waxman reports his observations, not withstanding the investigations that must follow, but also not withstanding reporting what he observes when it occurs.

Go get em Henry.

Without a majority in the House the Dems might as well prosecute anyone available around Bush since so many of them are pure scum. The good ones wont be noticed. The criminals stand out like a line of safety vest wearing traffic cops in an empty parking lot.

[Rodney Lamprey, jr.]

Of course the corrupt Justice Department will act much slower to allow Stephen Paten and associates to destroy evidence.

Now we know a little more of the corruption going on in the "lost" White House e-mails.