Democratic Congresswomen Vow to Close House

WASHINGTON — A group of Democratic congresswomen vowed Thursday to shut down the House of Representatives, if that’s what it takes to end the investigation into the contested election between Rep. Loretta Sanchez and former Rep. Robert K. Dornan.

“They have taken an inquiry and turned it into an inquisition,” said Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) “Would they do this to a male colleague? I’m not saying they wouldn’t. But I don’t think they would.”

Sanchez and a dozen other legislators took to the front lawn of the Capitol for the afternoon rally, backed by placard-waving supporters from the National Organization for Women. They spoke of sisterhood, sexism and the perceived flaws of the investigation, the Republican Party, and of Dornan.

“This is a witch hunt. It is sexist, partisan harassment of Loretta Sanchez, without any basis,” said Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Los Angeles).

The congressional inquiry into possible voter fraud in Dornan’s 984-vote loss to Sanchez is in its seventh month and has cost $300,000 so far. Some of the congresswomen who served with Dornan predicted that the investigation could last until the 1998 election, unless House Speaker Newt Gingrich intervenes.

“The committee has allowed an ordinary citizen, Bob Dornan, to receive subpoena power unprecedented in the history of this institution,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) “He has taken that power and is using it to harass Loretta Sanchez and the voters of the 46th District. His claims have proven to be baseless and without merit . . . and produced no evidence that Loretta Sanchez’s victory is the product of election fraud.”

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Dornan and his attorneys have maintained that Sanchez’s victory last November was tainted by election fraud. Lawyers for Dornan have issued almost 40 subpoenas to immigrant-rights groups, labor unions, colleges, local and federal agencies, Sanchez and others in a search for information about voting by noncitizens. Those subpoenas have largely been ignored.

Thursday’s rally was the latest in a series of legislative protests. Last week, Democratic House members tried to derail their own 1998 legislative spending budget, to illustrate the point that part of this year’s budget was used for the Sanchez election investigation. The delay tactics came with the blessing of House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.).

“If we need to use procedural tactics to shut the House down, that’s what we’ll do,” DeLauro said. “The pressure is mounting. The public needs to know what’s going on here. I believe there will be a public outcry.”

The women’s protest follows a rally by Latino legislators this week.

“Unlike our Republican friends, we believe in letting the voices of women be heard,” said Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) “The Republicans are demeaning this distinguished woman by trying to deny her the seat she has earned. This was a purely partisan attack on this woman.”

Sanchez herself drew parallels between her troubles and similar investigations that dogged the elections of Sens. Diane Feinstein, (D-Calif.) and Mary Landrieu, (D-La.) and Rep. Jane Harman (D-Rolling Hills).

“I am grateful to have the support of my colleagues, my hermanas,” Sanchez said. “In California, it seems every time a Democratic woman wins at the ballot box, she is subjected to the same generalized claims of voter fraud.”

The lone congressman in attendance, Rep. Bob Filner (D-San Diego) introduced himself as the president of a group called “California Bobs for Sanchez.”

“I’m honored to be here with my sisters,” Filner said, grinning.