Durbin: President Trump Has Gone Fishing - Refuses To Work With Congress During Investigation
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today recounted the meeting at the White House, which was originally scheduled to discuss transportation infrastructure, but was instead used as a press opportunity for President Donald Trump to express his frustration with Congressional investigations and oversight. Durbin noted that in light of Congress’s role in appropriating funding for the government, Congress has a responsibility to conduct oversight which includes investigating potential misconduct or misuse of taxpayer dollars by the Administration. Durbin argued that an Administration should be able to continue functioning during investigations in order to keep moving the country forward.
“This is an unfortunate development, unfortunate for America first because this President and this Congress, regardless of party, have a responsibility to the American people to do the basics – to make sure we provide what Americans need, what cities need, what businesses need, what families need, to grow the economy and create good-paying jobs,” Durbin said. “The President walked away from that this morning.”
Durbin continued, “This President can’t get off the hook. He may be weary of investigations… but that is the nature of accountability in a democracy. And for this President to say, no more, it’s out of bounds for us to be investigated, and I won’t do anything necessary for the economy and the future of this country as long as the investigation continues – that’s a sad day in the history of this country. I hope cooler heads will prevail, but I’m not sure they will.”
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor are available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.