Rep. Ellison Joins Democrats in Walkout During Contempt Vote

Statement

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, released the following statement today after the House voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress:

"Today's vote by the House of Representatives is just another example of the Republican leadership's fondness for playing political games instead of governing. That's why I am proud to join my fellow Democrats in an action to protest today's contempt vote.

"I agree that the "Fast and Furious' operation deserved a methodical Congressional investigation--this is our oversight responsibility. The family of Customs and Border Protection Agent Brian Terry, who was shot with a gun that had been trafficked--or "gun walked'-- into Mexico deserves a full explanation of what happened.

"However, the investigation has ignored the fact that the Bush Administration started this program, which let weapons traffickers buy thousands of guns. The Obama Administration acted decisively to stop the program and Attorney General Eric Holder condemned the approach. He then called for an independent investigation of the botched program, testified before Congress on the matter seven times and provided more than 6,000 pages of documents.

"Yet, once again the Republicans won't take "yes' for an answer and have turned this tragedy into a political football. Instead of the House Republicans taking action to invest in jobs they have used this investigation for political gain. It's time to end the partisan witch hunt and to start working on the American people's behalf."

Source