Raising A Question of the Privileges of the House

Floor Speech

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Mr. FRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in inherent contempt of Congress.

This is not a decision that I take lightly but one that is rooted in the fundamental principle and appreciation of our separation of powers.

Merrick Garland claims that he will ``not back down from defending democracy,'' but he has gone to great lengths to ignore and discredit our legislative oversight.

Merrick Garland claims that there have been ``unprecedented'' and ``unfounded'' attacks on the justice system, but all the while his Department of Justice has weaponized our government in unprecedented and unfounded ways. Merrick Garland claims, again, that he will continue to do the right thing.

The right thing here, Mr. Speaker, would be to comply with a lawfully issued subpoena. We have the transcripts. You cannot now claim executive privilege over the tapes themselves.

The Supreme Court case of McGrain v. Daugherty put it best: ``A legislative body cannot legislate wisely or effectively in the absence of information . . . and where the legislative body does not itself possess the requisite information . . . recourse must be had to others who do possess it.''

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