Congressional oversight runs on documents, and the documents were not arriving. In this hearing the Judiciary Committee did something unusual: rather than question the officials under investigation, it questioned the legislative affairs officials whose job is answering subpoenas, about the answering itself. One agency filed part of its production hours before the hearing began.
What arrived, and when
ClineMs. Buetow, understanding CISA's role in censorship on social media is a crucial part of the Committee's investigation into the apparent collusion between the Federal government and technology and social media companies.
ClinePrior to today, the Committee had only received 200 pages of documents responsive to the April 28, 2023, subpoena. That subpoena was due on May 22, 2023. Mere hours before this hearing today, CISA produced additional documents pursuant to the subpoena, and we have not been able to review those documents before this hearing.
ClineDuring a June 2nd phone call with Committee staff, CISA committed to asking DHS's chief counsel's office about the production timeline and size. When does CISA intend to make another production? How many productions does CISA anticipate making?
BuetowThank you for your question, Mr. Chair.
BuetowI can appreciate a little bit of the frustration with the timeline of the document productions. It is correct that there was a production earlier today, and I am anticipating an additional production as soon as this afternoon.
BuetowAnytime we make productions, we work collaboratively across the components with our Office of General Counsel and OLA. We will continue to work with you and your staff in a meaningful way forward.
ClineTwo productions in one day would be outstanding. The same day as the hearing makes it a little challenging.
[Hearing transcript, questioning by Rep. Cline.]
A date
ClineCan you commit to producing additional documents, say, by July 6th? Is that--if you're looking at today, that would be reasonable.
BuetowYes, Mr. Chair.
ClineThat's great.
ClineNow, why are the only documents that CISA has provided thus far are to the Committee's 200 pages of switchboarding emails?
BuetowSo, as I mentioned, anytime we're doing any sort of document production, the Office of Legislative Affairs works with the components and the General Counsel to determine what is both responsive and appropriate and we continue to look for additional information. So, I think it would be beyond the scope of just the Office of Legislative Affairs to speak to the sequencing, but can commit to working with you moving forward.
ClineNow, you'd agree that the Committee's subpoena compels the production of additional categories of documents, correct?
BuetowWithin the scope of the requests, we will continue to work with your staff, Mr. Chair.
[Hearing transcript, questioning by Rep. Cline.]