Date: Sunday, August 25, 2002 11:26 AM<\/p>\n
From the office of:
\nCongressman John Conyers, Jr.
\nFourteenth District, Michigan
\nRanking Member, House Judiciary Committee Dean of the Congressional
\nBlack Caucus
\nContact: Deanna Maher (313) 961-5670 Cell: (313) 737-7944<\/p>\n
Ted Kalo, Judiciary Committee<\/p>\n
(202) 225-6906<\/p>\n
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23, 2002<\/p>\n
CONYERS QUESTIONS DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS<\/p>\n
FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES<\/p>\n
Detroit, MI – Congressman John Conyers, Jr. has requested an immediate<\/p>\n
investigation by the head of the Drug Enforcement Agency of the U.S.
\nDepartment of Justice, Asa Hutchinson, of DEA’s possible misuse of federal
\nfunds without proper authorization by Congress and in contravention of
\nexisting law.. Conyers said: “It appears that the DEA has been actively
\nengaged across the country in collaboration with groups who are opposed to
\nballot proposals involving reform of our drug laws. Michigan is one of the
\nstates which will have a proposal of this kind on its November ballot.
\nCitizens opposed to this kind of ballot initiative clearly are permitted
\nto campaign and lobby in support of their point of view in an effort to
\nwin public support for their position.<\/p>\n
This is what our democracy is all about. But it is far from clear whether<\/p>\n
federally funded agencies and their employees can be used to spread a
\nmessage or promote a campaign for or against a ballot initiative, on
\nfederal property and on government time.”<\/p>\n
“The use of our local DEA office by those opposed to the Drug Reform<\/p>\n
ballot initiative seems clearly in violation of Section 601 of Public Law
\n107-77 (November 28, 2001), which clearly states that no part of any
\nappropriation for DEA can be used for ‘publicity or propaganda purposes’
\nnot authorized by Congress”.<\/p>\n
“I am concerned that DEA has actively been involved in a campaign, both<\/p>\n
locally and nationally, to oppose drug reform proposals which have been
\nproperly and legally put before the citizens of this state for their
\napproval or rejection. There seems little doubt that the appropriations
\nfor DEA are specifically prohibited from being used for this purpose.<\/p>\n
This apparently unlawful involvement of the DEA to promote a political<\/p>\n
agenda must cease immediately. We cannot allow the integrity of our
\nnational government to be compromised for any purpose, regardless of the
\nintent of these over zealous federal activists. I am shocked that judges
\nin violation of their Canon of Ethics would participate as well.”
\n—<\/p>\n
The DEA’s page in question is at<\/p>\n