Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 11, 1994 TAG: 9402110035
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Knight-Ridder Newspapers
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Enacted in 1978, the law lapsed 14 months ago. Former President Bush and Republican senators had blocked its renewal, complaining it had been abused by Iran-Contra Special Prosecutor Lawrence Walsh.
But with a possible Whitewater real estate investigation of President Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton looming, Republican leaders changed tack late last year and endorsed renewal - with some added controls.
In the end, 243 Democrats, 112 Republicans and one independent voted for the bill. Against were 54 Republicans and two Democrats. All House members from Virginia except Rep. Thomas J. Bliley, R-Richmond, voted for the bill.
The Senate passed similar legislation last fall, and the two houses are expected to resolve the differences. President Clinton has promised to sign the legislation.
Attorney General Janet Reno recently named New York attorney Robert Fiske as a special counsel to probe the Whitewater case, so a court-appointed independent counsel - who could be named under the renewal legislation - is not likely to get involved.
But reinstatement of the law would permit politically neutral investigations of the 60 highest-ranking officials of the executive branch and the 535 members of the House and Senate.
Republicans have complained bitterly that independent counsels were being used mainly to attack executive branch officials in GOP administrations.
The bill gives the attorney general the option of either directly investigating charges against members of Congress or seeking appointment of an independent counsel when a senator or representative is suspected of breaking the law.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, said "nothing angers my constituents more" than Congress treating itself differently than it does others.
by CNB