Latest news with #OversightandGovernmentReform
Politico
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Ghislaine Maxwell seeks to postpone Epstein testimony before Oversight committee - Live Updates
Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted co-conspirator of the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is asking to postpone her scheduled congressional deposition — and making a series of other demands as conditions of her cooperation with Hill investigators. It comes following a recent vote by a House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee to subpoena Maxwell amid mounting pressure from House Republicans to release materials related to the larger Epstein investigation. Full committee chair James Comer (R-Ky.) subsequently sent a letter to Maxwell, who is in prison, compelling her to speak with the committee on Aug. 11. Maxwell's attorneys indicated last week she was declining to cooperate with the subpoena. But in a letter obtained Tuesday by POLITICO, the lawyers noted their client now wants to reach a compromise to facilitate her testimony. Among her asks is to be granted immunity from further criminal proceedings; to receive committee investigators' questions in advance of the interview; to delay the deposition until after her appeals; and to relocate the deposition outside the prison where Maxwell is held. Otherwise, the attorneys wrote, Maxwell will invoke her Fifth Amendment right. 'We remain open to working with the Committee to find a path forward that respects her constitutional rights and enables her to assist the American people and the Committee in its important oversight mission,' the attorneys wrote. A spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee said the panel would soon respond to Maxwell's request but would not consider granting her Congressional immunity. Many House Republicans have been pushing Comer and GOP leaders to make the interview with Maxwell as public as possible. According to three Republicans with direct knowledge of the talks, members worry the closed-door setting — and the possibility of granting her some level of immunity — would only increase distrust among their constituents who've been pressing for answers relating to Epstein's activities. Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report.
Politico
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Ghislaine Maxwell plays hardball with lawmakers on giving Epstein testimony
Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted co-conspirator of the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is asking to postpone her scheduled congressional deposition — and making a series of other demands as conditions of her cooperation with Hill investigators. It comes following a recent vote by a House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee to subpoena Maxwell amid mounting pressure from House Republicans to release materials related to the larger Epstein investigation. Full committee chair James Comer (R-Ky.) subsequently sent a letter to Maxwell, who is in prison, compelling her to speak with the committee on Aug. 11. Maxwell's attorneys indicated last week she was declining to cooperate with the subpoena. But in a letter obtained Tuesday by POLITICO, the lawyers noted their client now wants to reach a compromise to facilitate her testimony. Among her asks is to be granted immunity from further criminal proceedings; to receive committee investigators' questions in advance of the interview; to delay the deposition until after her appeals; and to relocate the deposition outside the prison where Maxwell is held. Otherwise, the attorneys wrote, Maxwell will invoke her Fifth Amendment right. 'We remain open to working with the Committee to find a path forward that respects her constitutional rights and enables her to assist the American people and the Committee in its important oversight mission,' the attorneys wrote. A spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee said the panel would soon respond to Maxwell's request but would not consider granting her Congressional immunity. Many House Republicans have been pushing Comer and GOP leaders to make the interview with Maxwell as public as possible. According to three Republicans with direct knowledge of the talks, members worry the closed-door setting — and the possibility of granting her some level of immunity — would only increase distrust among their constituents who've been pressing for answers relating to Epstein's activities. Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Connolly challenges Mace over usage of transgender slur
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) called out Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) at a Wednesday hearing over her use of a transgender slur. During the House Oversight and Government Reform hearing Wednesday, Connolly, the panel's top Democrat, made an inquiry with Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) after remarks by Mace. 'The gentlelady has used a phrase that is considered a slur in the LGBTQ community and the trans community,' Connolly said. It appeared Mace was trying to interject, and the Virginia Democrat asked to 'finish without interruption.' Mace interrupted, repeating the transgender slur. 'I don't really care. You want penises in women's bathrooms, and I'm not gonna have it,' she continued. 'No, thank you. It's disgusting.' Connolly said, 'a slur is a slur.' 'And here in the committee, a level of decorum requires us to try consciously to avoid slurs. You just heard the gentlelady actually actively, robustly repeat it,' he continued. Connolly asked Comer if Mace could be counseled on decorum rules. 'We can debate policy discussion without offending human beings who are fellow citizens,' Connolly said. 'And so, I would ask as a parliamentary inquiry whether the use of that phrase is not, in fact, a violation of the decorum roles.' Comer said he wasn't up to date on LGBTQ terminology and that he would look into the matter. Over the last several months, Mace has worked to ban transgender women from using women's restrooms on Capitol grounds and has introduced measures to have the same rules in all federal buildings. The Hill has reached out to Comer's office for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
