House Democrats Are Going With 'No Play, No Pay' to Get Trumpists to Testify
Rep. Mark Pocan finally has made the play that Rep. Elijah Cummings called months ago. Those employees of Camp Runamuck who decline to participate in the impeachment inquiry will find their pay docked. From Common Dreams:
"I ask that you direct the person who prohibited Ambassador Sondland from communicating with Congress to section 713 of Division D of Public Law 116-6 signed by President Trump earlier this year," Pocan wrote to Pompeo. "As you are aware, this section prohibits paying the salary of any 'officer or employee of the federal government from... communication or contact with any member, committee, or subcommittee of Congress...
"I believe the person prohibiting Ambassador Sondland from testifying before the House Intelligence Committee is in violation of this statute," Pocan continued, "and that their salary should be withheld until Ambassador Sondland appears before Congress...We refuse to bankroll this administration while they hold witnesses hostage."
This is creative. And it seems to be backed by a law that the president* signed. It's both a fine bit of trolling, and a perfectly legitimate exercise of congressional oversight. If there's one unmistakable constitutional channel for congressional oversight, it's that Congress controls the money. And that's what Pocan is about here. No play, no pay.
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