As the new House Oversight chief, Rep. Jason Chaffetz plans to employ against Pres. Obama the same investigative techniques Henry Waxman used so effectively against Pres. Bush between 2007 and 2009.
Reports National Review’s Eliana Johnson:
Chaffetz, who is now entering his fourth term in Congress, says he sought out Waxman when he arrived in Washington in 2009. “I just proactively went up and shook his hand and said I care about this and I admire what he’s done,” Chaffetz says. “Although I disagree with him on just about everything,” Chaffetz says, Waxman is “passionate about [Congress as an] institution, the process by which you do oversight, and the elements and keys to success.”
“If you look at his effectiveness, ouch,” Chaffetz says. “He took a bite out of the [Bush] administration and, from that respect, I admire what he did.”
Waxman, who has served his California district for 40 years, announced his retirement in June, but not before sharing the tricks of the trade with his junior colleague. “It’s the secret sauce,” Chaffetz says, “and I’m not willing to give it up easily.”
