Waco Hearings - DAY 3
Waco Hearings - DAY 3
WACO HEARINGS: 9:30-10:32AM - Master Number 10928 - INTRODUCTION: The following footage from the Waco Hearings consists of the opening statements from Representatives Zeliff, McCollum, Thurman, Collins, Schumer and Conyers, in addition to, the swearing in of the seventh group of panelists and the questioning of them by Representative Mica and Zeliff. This is the beginning of the third day of the Waco Hearings. The seventh group of panelists are: Lloyd Bentsen; Former Treasury Secretary, Steve Higgins; former Director of the ATF, John Simpson; former Acting Assistant Secretary of the Treasure, Christopher Cuyler; ATF Liaison for the Assistant Secretary and Michael Langan; former Acting Assistant Secretary Deputy of the Treasure. 09:29:40 Fresh footage shows the Sub-Committee Chamber in recess before being convened for the new day. 09:38:41 Chairman Zeliff reconvenes the Waco Hearings on their third day. Immediately after the gavel falls, Congressman Lantos makes a point of parliamentary inquiry concerning the involvement of the National Rifle Association in the hearings. Chairman Zeliff states that the Majority had consulted with their leadership, and that there would be no subpoenaing of officials from the National Rife Association. Rep. Lantos asserts there to be a cover-up. Next, Congressman Mica makes a parliamentary inquiry concerning influences from the Clinton Administration on the hearings. 09:45:45 Chairman Zeliff makes the congressional panel's first opening statement of the new day. 09:51:00 Congressman McCollum makes his opening statement. 09:56:45 Congresswoman Thurman makes her opening statement. 09:59:38 Congresswoman Collins makes her opening statement. 10:02:13 Congressman Schumer makes his opening statement. 10:08:00 Congressman Conyers makes his opening statement. 10:07:49 Congresswoman Jackson-Lee introduces panelist, Former Treasury Secretary, Lloyd Bentsen. 10:09:02 Chairman Zeliff introduces the other panelists from the seventh group. The panelists are: Steve Higgins; former Director of the ATF, John Simpson; former Acting Assistant Secretary of the Treasure, Christopher Cuyler ; ATF Liaison for the Assistant Secretary and Michael Langon; former Acting Assistant Secretary Deputy of the Treasure. Congressman Lantos interjects to make a point of parliamentary inquiry concerning whether or not Secretary Bentsen should be forced to swear under oath. Secretary Bentsen interjects to state he has no problem with being sworn in. Chairman Zeliff then swears all the panelists in. 10:12:55 Congressman Mica begins his time by making various statements, including restating his point of parliamentary inquiry. He then yields back the balance of his time. 10:14:15 Congressman Zeliff begins his time by asking a series of questions of Secretary Bentsen. He asks that a document / letter be distributed to him that was sent to him from Mr. Roger Altman. It concerned Waco, and is dated April 15, 1993. After reading from the letter, which discusses the use of tear gas at the Mount Carmel compound, Secretary Bentsen is asked to comment on it. Secretary Bentsen replies that he did receive the letter, but that the decision to use gas would have been made by the Attorney General, Janet Reno. Pressing the Secretary, Chairman Zeliff asks why he couldn't have called this action off; trump the Attorney General. Secretary Bentsen states it was not his decision to make. Rep. Zeliff then asks him if he forwarded the letter to the President. He recalls he did not. Pressing again, Rep. Zeliff asks if he told the President about the letter. Secretary Bentsen again, repeats that this was not his jurisdiction. Repeating the question again, Chairman Zeliff asks if he took any action after receiving the letter. Secretary Bentsen boldly states he took care of his responsibilities and his jurisdiction. Congressman Zeliff again, and then again, attempts the same question. Secretary Bentsen flatly states this was the concern of the Attorney General, and that he was sure she weighed the decision heavily. 10:20:42 Congressman Taylor begins his time by asking the Chair to subpoena the authors of the "Sinful Messiah" article that appeared in the Waco Tribune Herald the day before the raid. Rep. Taylor calls for a vote on the request, and this touches off a round of bickering. Representative Lantos, Schumer and Zeliff go at it. 10:29:24 Chairman Zeliff calls for a vote on a motion by Chairman Hyde; the vote is never described. More points of parliamentary inquiry are made during the vote. 10:32:00 TIME OUT.