Democrats Lose Bid to End Voting Probe

House Democrats made a vain attempt to end the ongoing Dornan-Sanchez election investigation Monday night, even though the bill they were trying to kill included money for their 1998 paychecks.

During a raucous evening of debate and delaying tactics, Democrats accused Republicans of running a partisan investigation, tinged with racial bias. Republicans, in turn, accused the minority party of sour grapes.

In a symbolic gesture, Democrats voted against the $1.71-billion legislative branch spending bill, which pays for salaries, building upkeep, office expenses and committee budgets, including that of the House Oversight Committee. Since January, a three-member committee task force has been investigating former Republican Rep. Robert K. Dornan’s charge that voter fraud cost him the 1996 election in Orange County’s 46th Congressional District.

The bill passed, but Democrats got the opportunity to vent their frustration regarding the seven-month investigation.

“I’m sorry to break it to our Republican colleagues, but Bob Dornan lost the election,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.). “And yes, he even lost to a Democrat, and a Latino woman.”

“The Latinos and other citizens of Orange County have spoken, but others in this House would like to silence them,” said Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.). “Well, the women and Hispanic members of this House will not let them.”

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove), who defeated Dornan last year, called the ongoing investigation “a witch hunt.”

Republicans countered that the investigation was justified by facts, and by the privilege of the majority.

“It appears that there may have been an organization in Orange County that deliberately encouraged noncitizens to vote,” said Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.), who chairs the task force looking into Dornan’s charges.

“The majority’s will is for this task force to proceed,” said Rep. James Walsh (R-N.Y.). “When [Democrats] were in the majority, their will was preeminent. But the American people have made the decision that we will be in the majority for the next two years.”

In the end, the legislative spending bill passed 214 to 203.