White House Braces for Avalanche of GOP Probes of Fraud, Waste

Tuesday, 09 Nov 2010 03:29 PM
By David A. Patten

A massive effort is under way at both the White House and in Congress to brace for literally hundreds of GOP-led probes, hearings, and subpoenas into allegations of fraud, waste, and possible wrongdoing in the Obama administration.

Republican leaders, frustrated that stacks of their information requests to various federal agencies have gone largely ignored for nearly two years now, say they are willing to wield their newfound subpoena power if necessary to get some straight answers.

The White House is preparing for the investigative onslaught. The Los Angeles Times reports that the administration is considering adding more lawyers to its 20-member Office of Legal Counsel, beefing up the division to bolster its ability to fend off GOP probes.

Rep. Darrell Issa, the incoming chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, tells Politico.com that he wants “seven hearings a week, times 40 weeks.â€