How The GOP Can Get Around The Sestak Stonewall

Byron York, as usual, has the inside scoop on a story that will fade to obscurity unless pressure is mounted:

Clearly, Republicans believe they haven’t been told the whole story. But what can the GOP do about it?

Democrats control the White House, the House and the Senate. Republicans cannot hold committee hearings and cannot subpoena witnesses or documents. If Democrats want to shut down the Sestak controversy — and they do — then it will be shut down.

Still, Republicans have a few options. They plan to introduce something called a resolution of inquiry, a procedure by which the House of Representatives demands information — documents, e-mails, etc. — from the executive branch. If the resolution passes, the White House will have to turn over specific information on the Sestak affair.

Of course, the resolution won’t pass in a House with a huge Democratic majority. But for Republicans, the appealing thing about a resolution of inquiry is that House rules require debate on the resolution before a vote, so Republicans will at least get to make their case in public before losing.

Another part of the Republican plan is to hold what is called a minority forum, which is basically a one-party hearing. Only a majority of any committee can call a hearing, and only a majority can subpoena witnesses. Without a majority, Republicans can hold a show hearing for themselves, with any witnesses they can persuade to appear. Don’t look for Rahm Emanuel to be there.

GOP lawmakers have held minority forums on issues like ACORN and the Patriot Act. But they know they hold a weak hand. “The hearing will probably be incomplete because there are far more questions than answers at this point and it looks like they have all clammed up and are not willing to answer more questions,” says Rep. Lamar Smith, ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee. “So that’s what we have left.”

“It really just depends on the interest of the public,” Smith continues, “and whether they want to get to the bottom of it.”

That’s the key. The Republicans’ strategy — resolution of inquiry, minority forum — can’t really get anything done. It can only hope to stir public interest which might then pressure Democrats to allow more investigation.

Read the whole piece – there has been a successful precedent for a “Minority forum”, which the Dems used during the Plame affair. The question is, with the media’s sympathies decidedly not in the GOP’s favor, what are the odds they’ll be successful?

PREVIOUSLY:

The Latest On The Sestak Bribe And Cover-Up

Sestak’s Statement Today Does Not Square With His Original Story

Expect A Friday News Dump From White House On Sestak (with updates)

Breaking – Jobgate II: Sestak Not The Only Dem Candidate Bribed By Obama White House?…

The Latest On The Sestak “Jobgate” Scandal: Who’s Going Under The Bus?

An Impeachable Offense (With Updates)

Joe Sestak, the Inartful Dodger

Video: So Who’s Wrong Part 2 – The Sunday Morning After

Video: Joe Sestak Answered Honestly

Linked by Michelle Malkin in Buzzworthy, thanks!