Congress needs to make it clear that lying to lawmakers has consequences

[Valin]

Washington Examiner

Philip Wegmann

 December 14, 2018

Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., accused the former CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee of lying to Congress and referred the matter to the Department of Justice.

The CEO in question is Scott Blackmun, and according to the senators, he made “materially false statements contained in his written testimony” concerning the Olympic Committee's handling of abuse allegations against USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.

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Lying to lawmakers is punishable by either a fine, five years in prison, or both.

Also, Congress needs to flex its muscle again. Legislators have surrendered so much of their power in exchange for political cover to make themselves anemic. They are regularly disregarded by administrative agencies, and they put up with it rather than doing their constitutional duty.

Congress can begin to repair this damage by making it clear that it doesn't take lying lightly. Moran and Blumenthal have done a good thing by referring him to DOJ. They ought to prosecute. The public would be supportive, the Constitution would be repaired, and an important precedent restored.

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