Contempt Finding Sought Against Reno

Rep. Dan Burton asked the House to find Atty. Gen. Janet Reno in contempt of Congress as Republicans press for an independent counsel in the campaign fund-raising controversy. Burton went to the House floor to file a resolution recommending that Reno be held in contempt for failing to hand over documents requested by his committee. A vote on the resolution could be held at any time. Burton (R-Ind.) also said that he will review “some information we think bears on the whole issue of impeachment” and will turn it over to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry J. Hyde (R-Ill.). Republicans on his Government Reform and Oversight Committee have complained the White House is slow to turn over documents and quick to raise various privileges that have made it difficult for Congress to gather evidence in its fund-raising investigations.