When a member of the Cabinet testifies in front of a Congressional committee, the long established custom is for each member to get 5 minutes for questioning. It has been over 30 years since any other procedure has been used. Well now that Attorney General Barr is supposed to testify this week, the Democrats have decided that they want not only the 5 minute blocks for members, but they also want committee lawyers to cross examine Barr as well. Barr is rightly balking at this, and he may not agree to testify as a result.
This is a bizarre twist due to political gamesmanship. The committee can ask Barr anything it wants about the Mueller Report (the subject of the hearing.) If the members are too dumb to come up with their own questions, the committee's lawyers can write the questions for them to use. Barr has already testified to Congress many times, and he has been responsive and complete on those occasions. There is no reason to have committee lawyers cross examine the AG.
The truth appears to be that the Democrats would rather have Barr refuse to testify so that they can say he is covering things up than to have the opportunity to learn things by asking questions to Barr.
This is a bizarre twist due to political gamesmanship. The committee can ask Barr anything it wants about the Mueller Report (the subject of the hearing.) If the members are too dumb to come up with their own questions, the committee's lawyers can write the questions for them to use. Barr has already testified to Congress many times, and he has been responsive and complete on those occasions. There is no reason to have committee lawyers cross examine the AG.
The truth appears to be that the Democrats would rather have Barr refuse to testify so that they can say he is covering things up than to have the opportunity to learn things by asking questions to Barr.
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