Page 11 - Written Question News Today

, by congress. they should be defended vigorously whether or not the solicitor general agreed with them or not. unless it cant be reason bring definitive. sometimes you have a disagreement about whether its reasonably defensible or not. thats the fundamental question. the department of justice should defend laws that congress passed unless its -- theyre unable to do so in a reasonable way. >> what is the place of independent agencies in a unified executive branch, and do you envision that you wi...

"we have had difficulty with several u.s. attorneys in cases we have wanted to bring. we have want experienced that difficulty in the cases i have handled with mr. sessions. in fact, quite the contrary." it goes on to say "ive had occasion numerous times to ask for his assistance and guidance. i have been able to go to him, and he has had an open door poli policy, and i have taken advantage of that and found him cooperative." that is an accurate statement. i dont know, mr. rich. perhaps he handl...

Sometimes you even hear the president complain about things clearly under his control. i remember president clinton complaining about the death penalty processes of the department of federal government when he appointed the attorney general. he had just appointed a committee to make sure the death penalty was properly carried out. something like whose responsibility is this? you are in charge. you can remove the attorney general if youre not happy. those kind of things do continue out there that...

Remembering how the attorney general got there and can be removed at any moment by the president, and at the same time the attorney general has the obligation to be independent, to provide an independent source of analysis for the president and for the presidents team and cabinet. how do you understand these things as a former u.s. attorney, as a former line prosecutor and as a senator who served on the judiciary committee, you have had a lot of opportunities to observe this process. how do you ...

People who had not been given legal status under the laws of the united states were given photo ids, work authorization and social security numbers and the right to participate in these government programs that would appear to be contrary to existing law. that would to me suggest an overreach. >> in parallel, before the courts, what instances would it be legitimate, if any, for the solicitor general to not defend a law in court? >> that is a very good question. sometimes it becomes a real matter...

>> there are grand jury rules that are significant. >> isnt it also true that it is customary practice because of the concern about the improper release of derogatory investigative information that the department customarily limits its factual assertions even after an individual has been charged to the fact that were charged in the information or the indictment? >> i believe thats correct, yes. thats a standard operating policy in most offices. there may be some exceptions, but i think thats sta...

Without any records, and that was my memory at the time. >> i think you answered the question. senator flank. its now 12:59, so at 2:09, we will adjourn for lunch. ill be back here at 2:39, and whoever is present, well start then. whatever -- i got the -- you know what i mean. go ahead. >> well, thank you. wait. you say were adjourned or im going? >> no, you go ahead. >> great. its nice being the last one standing between lunch with everyone. >> lets have order for senator, please. >> i just wan...

Always get elected. weve had republican governors in minnesota. we have a republican governor in iowa. i just point out that i think the more we can do to encourage people to vote, the better democracy we have. i want to turn to another quick question on a democratic issue that was raised by senator graham and senator whitehouse. i just returned with senators mccain and graham from a trip to ukraine, baltics, georgia, and i learned there about how these intrusive cyber attacks are not just uniqu...

Its not always as simple as schoolhouse rock jingles on saturday morning, but could you at least start by telling us what you think the place for executive orders and executive actions are? >> thats a good question. a good premise. we should think about that. people are taught that schoolhouse rock is not a bad basic lesson in how the government is supposed to work. legislators pass laws. the president executes laws, as does the entire administration. >> i think every day that we get away from t...

We see today, and they could be a mechanism through which unlawful intelligence is obtained. there are other dangers that could happen with regard to the federal government that normally doesnt happen to the media covering murder cases in the state. >> all right, well thank you. ill follow up with that in a written question when you have a chance to look at it. >> if you would, i would appreciate it. >> thank you. >> i call for the first time on a new member of the committee, senator sass from n...