August 4, 1994 - Part 4
August 4, 1994 - Part 4
(12:50:34) And Mr. Chairman, I have to say I really fear that we are so totally focused on a few scraps of conversations and phone calls and 10-second or 10-minute meetings that we have mistakenly left the impression that the White House has been consumed with Whitewater. And indeed, it is my observation that Whitewater has been focused on instead of the real issues the American people care about here which come before this Committee, economy, jobs, Health Care, all of the real critical issues, I hope that as Senators and as Members of this Committee that we don't lose that perspective having gone through these intense hearings these last 5 days. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Murray, if you'll permit me on the remainder of your time just to agree with you. We all serve on other Committees. I serve on the Finance Committee, I'm Chairman of the Health Care Subcommittee and we've worked on it literally now for decades, and I want to be working on Health Care. This Committee, before we were given this assignment by the Senate, had spent no time on this issue, This has been assigned to us by the Senate and so we're discharging that obligation that we've been given, but I must tell you, when we finish this tomorrow evening, as I expect and trust we will, and we turn our attention next week to Health Care--I'm talking about the Senate as a whole and we can get back to itI'm fully in accord with your view. I think people want us working on Health Care and other issues, and I certainly join you in that sentiment. Senator MURRAY. And Mr. Chairman, let me add since it's still my time that this Committee has instead focused a lot of attention 330 on the RTC. In fact, the first vote I took on this Committee, as a' freshman Member, was spending billions of dollars for the RTC bailout which was not my idea of a great first vote on this Committee. And indeed as this is our job, to oversee the RTC in its im- mense capacity, I can safely say Whitewater is a very small part of that as well. I think it's a concern that we have spent 5 days focused on a very tiny part of the RTC when really maybe we ought to be looking back at the RTC and focusing on the broader picture as well. Senator D'AMATO. Mr. Chairman, Senator Bond has not asked any questions. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Bond. OPENING COMMENTS OF SENATOR BOND Senator BOND. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. McLarty, you've already testified that you were aware of the concern in the White House over the failure of Mr. Altman to mention the recusal discussions in the February 2 meeting; is that correct? Did you know of the meeting that Mr. Podesta had in the White House on March 1 where they spent 21/2 hours , I believe Counsel told us, talking about the questions relating to Mr. Altman's testimony? Mr. MCLARTY. Senator, I've already testified this morning that I was aware, that it had been brought to my attention that Mr. Altman's testimony might not be complete, and the recommendation to me was we needed to work to complete the record, and I certainly affirm that. Senator BOND. And did you see or know of the March 2 letter or March 3 letter sent by Mr. Altman to the Banking Committee? Did those come to your attention? Mr. McLARTY. No, I don't believe they did. I believe I saw them sometime after they were sent. Senator BOND. So they didn't. The White House was very concerned about the incompleteness of the answer and Mr. Eggleston , to his credit, immediately left the meeting on February 24, and called Mr. Podesta. It was discussed the next day. Mr. Eggleston read, I guess read the testimony on the following Monday, then they had a 21/2 hour meeting. So by then, as Chief of Staff, that had come to your attention; is that correct? Mr. McLARTY. Well, Senator, you're characterizing the very concern. I was aware that members of the White House staff had brought to my attention there might be a need to make certain that Mr. Altman's testimony was complete, and I affirm that. And if you'll recall, shortly thereafter, Mr. Fiske issued subpoenas and therefore, it really became inappropriate for us to continue to be involved in that process from the White House standpoint. Senator BOND. But you did-as Chief of Staff, you knew as of that March 1 meeting that he had not mentioned recusal? Mr. McLARTY. I'm not sure when I learned of that, Senator, whether it was March 1. At some point in time I was aware of what I just stated, that certain members of the White House staff felt Mr. Altman's testimony might need to be more complete, and I encouraged them to participate in that process. 331 Senator BOND. As Chief of Staff, did you ask why it was incomplete? Mr. McLARTY. I didn't get into a level of detail, Senator, as I recall it at that time. It was clear that the people who were responsible for that were engaged in it and I had confidence that they would work on that matter in a proper way.