Brent Scher reports for the Washington Free Beacon about a high-profile addition to the U.S. House’s roster of committees.
The newly established House committee to investigate the “weaponization of government” will waste no time before flexing its subpoena power, as Republican members prepare to tackle an ambitious oversight agenda on matters that Democrats failed to address when they were in the majority.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.) says the committee, officially dubbed the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, is composed of members who know how to “dig,” and they are hungry for answers after having their requests for documents and witnesses ignored when they were in the minority. Though the committee was established just a week ago, its first actions were on matters Stefanik and her colleagues have had their sights on for years. Stefanik says it’s time for answers.
“Time is of the essence, we understand that,” Stefanik told the Washington Free Beacon. “Almost all these document requests have already been issued. There is a process, and we will follow that process, but we will leave no stone unturned.”
Stefanik, now the fourth-ranking House Republican, saw her star rise in the party after demonstrating effective cross-examination of witnesses during impeachment hearings in 2019. The Republican defense of President Donald Trump was credited with unifying the party, showcasing Stefanik, a New York moderate, working well alongside outspoken Freedom Caucus members such as Rep. Jim Jordan (R., Ohio). The two will join forces again on the Weaponization Committee, and Stefanik is excited at the prospect.
“I will tell you, working with Jim Jordan in the past, we know how to dig, dig, dig, how to follow and pull these threads,” Stefanik said. “I’m really looking forward to continuing that in this important committee. This committee is going to be some of the most important work of this majority.”
