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RISE AND FALL: Last half surf.
August 3, 1994 - Part 2
(12:00:13) That is in no way meant to indicate that I do not have some serious problems with some of the things, and contacts, and statements that were made. Mr. Secretary, let me ask you this question: The report sent to you from the Office of Government Ethics makes this statement On the basis of our review, we believe that you might-referring to "you" as the Secretary to whom this report is addressed-that you might reasonably conclude that the conduct detailed in the report of officials presently employed by the Department of Treasury did not violate the standards of ethical conduct for employees of the Executive Branch. My question to you, Mr. Secretary, is: Have you yourself reached a conclusion? If so, would you share it with us? Secretary BENTSEN. Oh, yes. I agree with that. I do think that office goes on to state, as I stated in my testimony, that there are some troubling things still there in spite of that, and that they should be addressed. Senator BRYAN. Senator Shelby asked a question about depositions, and I want to get just a little clarification. You indicated as you talked with Mr, Cutler that you wanted to make sure that none of the depositions be released to any of the deponents until after all depositions were taken in conjunction with the Inspector General? I believe that is your testimony, was it not? Secretary BENTSEN. Yes. That is correct. Senator BRYAN. My question to you is, if you know-because Mr. Altman has testified that he had access to his deposition to prepare his own testimony before us-do you know if any of those depositions taken by the Inspector General were released prior to our 40 own Counsel of this Committee taking the depositions of the individuals? Secretary BENTSEN, Oh, to the best of my knowledge, none of them were released until Counsel for this Committee had concluded their depositions. Now I must say to you, as I stated earlier, Senator, this Committee then requested that they be able to hold those and that they not be exchanged among witnesses until they were ready. Now that is an unusual request, I understand, and I was told I had no legal obligation to do that. But as a matter of cooperation with this Committee and trying to help in the oversight that they are doing, I acceded to that and agreed to that. Senator BRYAN. So not only did they not have access to the other depositions before taking their deposition before the IG, they did not have access to those depositions until after our Counsel had concluded taking their depositions for purposes of this Committee? Secretary BENTSEN. That is my understanding. Senator BRYAN. Mr. Chairman, I hope I will not be penalized in the future, but I am going to yield back the balance of my time and hope that our C-SPAN junkies will understand our need to conclude this thing as early as possible. Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary. The CHAIRMAN. Very good. Senator Roth. OPENING COMMENTS OF SENATOR ROTH Senator ROTH. Mr, Secretary, it is always a pleasure to welcome you. Secretary BENTSEN. Thank you, Senator. Senator ROTH. I have to tell you, I would prefer to be talking about IRA's with you [Laughter.] Senator ROTH [continuing]. Rather than the Secretary BENTSEN. You know, that is funny. I was talking about IRA's yesterday. Senator ROTH. Well, I will be happy to discuss that further with you at your earliest convenience. Let me start out by saying that I do appreciate the sensitivity you have shown in your conduct to avoid conflicts of interest. I only wish that some of your subordinates perhaps had demonstrated the same sensitivity. I was interested in your answer to a question by Senator Sasser a few minutes ago when he asked you about a White House memo limiting contacts with Government agencies. If I understood you properly, I heard you tell Senator Sasser that you had advised Treasury employees not to have contact with White House officials about specific cases. Is that correct? Secretary BENTSEN. About this issue; yes. Senator ROTH. About this particular issue. Secretary BENTSEN. Yes. Senator ROTH. Was that instruction put in writing, or orally? And if so, when? 41 Secretary BENTSEN. Well that was done, as I recall, at approximately the time that I called for the Office of Government Ethic to make their examination, their study. I believe that was done orally. Senator ROTH. It was done when, sir? Secretary BENTSEN. I think it was done approximately the time that I asked for the Office of Government Ethics to make their ex amination. Senator ROTH. And when was that? Secretary BENTSEN. I think that was on March 3rd. Senator ROTH. Has that advice been followed since? Have there been any further contacts on this specific matter with the White House since that time?
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Brassiaea
August 3, 1994 - Part 2
(12:10:20) As was pointed out in that memorandum, Mr. Nussbaum writes that. It is imperative that there be public confidence in the effective and impartial administration of the laws. Political figures and others may seek White House intervention in pending criminal and civil matters, but it undermines the administration of justice if the White House even appears to be interfering in such cases. I think one of the problems, if there is a personal Secretary BENTSEN. Well I share that kind of advice. Senator ROTH. I do, too, Mr. Secretary. Do I have time for one more question? The CHAIRMAN. Well if it goes into a new area, I think we probably ought to stay within the time limits. If it is a very brief followon to this, that is a little different. Senator ROTH. Well it really is a follow-up on this question. The CHAIRMAN. Can you do it in a minute or so? Senator ROTH. I would hope so. Mr, Secretary The CHAIRMAN [continuing]. Because I do not want to trespass on the time of others. Senator ROTH. Mr. Secretary, is it your position, or would it be your position that the rules of confidentiality applying to sensitive, nonpublic matters such as criminal referrals, should be waived or not waived in respect to the White House? In other words, you did speak of a need of high White House officials, or Administration officials being able to discuss matters. Secretary BENTSEN. Under certain conditions. Senator ROTH. Under certain conditions. Secretary BENTSEN. And I don't think there are clear enough guidelines on that. That is something I think that should be pursued. 43 As I said earlier, I have! sent word to the Attorney General's department that I want their counsel on it. Senator ROTH. My time is up, but I may have further questions. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Boxer. OPENING COMMENTS OF SENATOR BOXER Senator BOXER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Secretary, I just want to say, putting aside this matter for just a moment, congratulations on the job you are doing for our economy. There is another good report today, Secretary BENTSEN. Thank you. Senator BOXER. I am really encouraged by what has happened since this Administration took over in terms of what is happening to real people in their lives. Secretary BENTSEN. Thank you, very much, Senator. I must say, I am very pleased with the way the economy was going. If I could write down the numbers arid have my choice, I don't think I could do much better. Senator BOXER. You are right. That is very good news for us. Mr. Secretary, I want to first say that I have been around here only a couple of years, and then in the House for 10 years. I don't know anyone who is more respected by the Members of this Body, and this is a tough place. You know, you never want to be the first one to leave the room. [Laughter] Secretary BENTSEN. I know. Senator BOXER. But I can tell you that Secretary BENTSEN. Senator, you are generous.
August 3, 1994 - Part 2
(12:13:45) In studio NINA TOTENBERG and DON BODE segue to House Bank Committee Hearings at which ROGER ALTMAN is testifying (12:15:15) Roger Altman testifies before the House Banking Committee - this House hearing footage runs for the rest of the tape
August 3, 1994 - Part 3
(12:30:04) ROGER ALTERMAN testifies before the House Banking Committee
August 3, 1994 - Part 4
(14:00:00) ROGER ALTMAN testifies before the House Banking Committee (14:02:00) Commentary of hearings hosts NINA TOTENBERG and DON BODE from tv studio, they also talk to DAVE MCCONNALLY of WTOP Radio Washington, DC (14:18:15) Senate hearing resumes: AFTERNOON SESSION The CHAIRMAN. Committee will come to order, please. Let me invite all those in the room to find seats for themselves, As I indicated earlier this morning, our second witness today would be Mr. Eugene Ludwig, who is here with us now. He is the Comptroller of the Currency. Mr. Ludwig, I understand that you have a statement that you want to deliver and I'm going to ask you to do that. Before I do, let me ask you to stand and raise your right hand. Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God. TESTIMONY OF EUGENE A. LUDWIG COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY, OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE CUR RENCY Mr. LUDWIG. I do. The CHAIRMAN. Very good, We'll make your full statement a part of the record. Why don't you go ahead and deliver whatever remarks you wish to deliver now. Mr. LUDWIG. Thank you. Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I am pleased to appear before you today in connection with your inquiry into communications between officials of the White House, the Treasury Department, and the Resolution Trust Corporation relating to the Whitewater Development Corporation and Madison Guaranty Savings & Loan Association. Too much of the public discussion of these topics has flowed from rumor, speculation and innuendo. It is time to clear the air and get to the facts. Your hearings will help all of us set the record straight, put these issues behind us, and get back to business. As you are aware, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has no jurisdiction over the Whitewater Development Corporation, nor over Madison Guaranty Savings & Loan Association. Neither in my capacity as Comptroller of the Currency, nor in my capacity as a director of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, has anything related to Whitewater or Madison come before me, except for two unsolicited copies of Freedom of Information Act requests from reporters that I will describe more fully in a moment.
Pink Shower
Yellow Tree
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Yellow Tree (Bignomo)
Pink Shower
Shower & leaves in front Yard of colonial home