Congressman Dan Burton (R-Ind.) challenged witnesses at a hearing for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs who oppose hasty sanctions. He said that the longer the U.S. waits to make a move, it is likely that more violence on the streets in Tehran will erupt, adding that the government of Iran will allow it to happen. Burton reminded the Committee that the people of Iran are bound to the U.S. in terms of their economy, thus sanctions would be useful. (1:10).

 

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University of New Mexico, Talk Radio News

Dan Burton (R-Ind.) asks Earl Devaney, chairman of the Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board about an expected $55 billion in fraud as the Recovery Act funds go out.

 

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University of New Mexico, Talk Radio News

At the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform Earl Devaney, chairman of the Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board, said that he was creating a user friendly website: http://www.doioig.gov/index.php?menuid=460&viewid=613&viewtype=PAGE , and that some reporters are already using it.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) asked Devaney for assurance that the Recovery Act funds that have gone to existing programs are being spent quickly. Devaney said that he could not provide that.

Dan Burton (R-Ind.) asked Devaney about an expected $55 billion in fraud as the Recovery Act funds go out. Devaney confirmed that about seven percent fraud is a credible estimate, and the best law enforcement can provide is zero tolerance.

Rep. Jimmy Duncan (R-Tenn.) points out that not all of the stimulus money is creating jobs, citing $40 million in his own district that went to raises, standing bills and only two new jobs.

“Animals are getting under the Alaska pipeline to keep warm!” Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) said this afternoon in defense of opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for oil drilling. Republicans joined Burton on the floor of the US House of Representatives today to continue their push for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to call an emergency session of Congress.

Burton also expressed a sense of urgency for Americans to find energy independence. “If you think the Saudis are our friend, you’ve got another thing coming,” he said. Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) echoed Burton’s sentiments, also calling out proposed solutions from the Democrats as “hot air”. “We could probably make ourselves energy independent right there,” he said. “If we use the hot air from the Democrats to heat our homes.”

In regards to Speaker Pelosi and her decision to call for a 5 week recess in light of sky-high fuel prices, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) said, “I know she didn’t mean to do this, but our Speaker is the best friend OPEC’s got.”

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) says that there was a dramatic contrast between the number of subpoenas issued by Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) during the Clinton administration and by Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) during the Bush administration, saying that a lack of oversight over the last six years has allowed for the executive branch to be secretive without interference. (0:40)

 

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