GOP Press Release On Congressman Markey Scandal

The original press release may be found here.

Press Release

Intimidation Has No Place in Government, Republicans Tell Waxman, Markey

‘Witnesses have every right to expect that in exchange for their honesty with us, they will not be subjected to sanction, retribution and vengeance simply because the facts and opinions they offer do not square with those of the committee’s members’

June 12, 2009

WASHINGTON – Intimidation and abuse of witnesses who disagree with ruling Democrats must not be permitted in the Energy and Commerce Committee, 20 of the panel’s Republicans told Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey, D-Mass., Friday. At issue is the curious case of an energy company executive who, within hours of challenging the cost analysis of Waxman-Markey global warming legislation, found himself the target of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission inquiry requested that day by Chairman Markey.

“Our committee has a responsibility to the American people to ensure that when we exercise our constitutional powers, we do it fairly and in a manner that engenders public confidence and leads to the truth. When citizens appear voluntarily before this committee to testify, we expect them to tell the truth,” the Republican lawmakers wrote. “Our witnesses, in turn, have every right to expect that in exchange for their honesty with us, they will not be subjected to sanction, retribution and vengeance simply because the facts and opinions they offer do not square with those of the committee’s members. Exercising the power of the majority requires a special responsibility to protect witnesses.”

“No company in America or its employees should be harassed. We are confident that you agree with us on the basic protection all witnesses before our committee have a right to expect.  Respectfully, we ask for a meeting with both of you and at your earliest convenience to address this issue,” they added.

A copy of the Republicans’ letter to Waxman and Markey can be found here.
A copy of Markey’s original letter to FERC can be found here, and his second letter here.
A copy of FERC’s response can be found here.

Update! Articles pertaining to the scandal may be found at these links:
Congressman Intimidates Congressional Witnesses
Congressional Witness Intimidation: David Sokol Video Interview
Is The Media Covering Up A Political Scandal?
Why The Media Blackout Of Congressional Scandal?
GOP Press Release On Congressman Markey Scandal (this article)
Congressional Scandal Videos: Sokol Testimony, Markey Apology