A United States Senator, along with all the members of his party and the millions of Americans they represent, got his most basic freedom of speech taken away yesterday in a hearing of the House Oversight Committee , chaired by Republican Darrell Issa.
Issa, trying to give Fox News some material for their brainless base and an apparent effort to prop up his Mister Macho credentials, called the hearing to once again question an IRS official on the non-story, Republican manufactured scandal concerning the 501c4.
Although multiple hearings and millions of tax dollars have already been wasted on this non-story, Republicans need to keep this so-called tax scandal alive until the November elections, so the IRS official was called to do what she’s done in the past, invoke her Fifth Amendment rights under the Constitution.
Issa called the witness – Lois Lerner – and shot off ten questions at her already knowing what her answer would be. He then tried to end the proceedings without accepting questions or any input whatsoever from the other members of the committee. But Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), would have none of it and insisted on taking part in the hearing. What nerve! Didn’t he know this hearing was just a charade for Fox News?
“Can I ask a question?” Mr Cummings is heard saying.
“This hearing is adjourned,” Issa shot back, and stood up to walk away.
Still insisting on doing his job and taking part in the hearing, Rep Cummings continued talking, but the Republican dictator Chairman would have non of it and proceeded to turn off Mr Cummings’ microphone.
Cummings exploded. “If you will sit down and allow me to ask a question,” Cummings insisted. “I am a member of a Congress of the United States of America!”
“I am tired of this,” Cummings continued. “You cannot just have a one-sided investigation. There is absolutely something wrong with that, and it is absolutely un-American.”
“We had a hearing. It was adjourned,” Issa said. “I gave you an opportunity to ask your questions. You had no questions.”
“I do have questions,” Cummings replied. “Chairman, what are you hiding?”
Watch the unbelievable events unfold below.