The 2013 budget for the Department of Justice is up for review. During deliberations, Utah Representative Jason Chaffetz attached House Amendment 1068. The text of the amendment sounds like CSPAN on Valium:
An amendment to prohibit the use of funds used in contravention of paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 1001(a) of title 18, United State Code.
The code section in question is this,
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully–
(1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact;
(2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or
(3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry;
shall be fined under this title, [or] imprisoned not more than 5 years
The short version? The DOJ can’t use taxpayer funds to lie to Congress.
Yeah, I know. It doesn’t really have teeth, but that’s not the point.
The point is that it passed 381-41, with 142 Democrats (77.6%) voting in favor. It’s going to be hard to dismiss the Fast & Furious hearings as petty partisan bickering now.
(The title comes from a statement by Rep. Farenthold, who complained about the lack of accountability or action within Justice.)