congressional inquiry
Capitol Hill probe
A congressional inquiry is a formal investigation conducted by a committee of the U.S.
Congress into matters of public concern—government misconduct, policy failures, or issues requiring legislative action.
Witnesses may be subpoenaed to testify under oath: The executives were called before a congressional inquiry.
Such inquiries can lead to new legislation, policy changes, or referrals for prosecution.
- constitutional authorityPower granted by supreme law
- hearingsOfficial evidence-gathering sessions
- Capitol HillCongressional district and synecdoche
- subpoenasLegal orders requiring appearance
- Iran-Contra affairCovert arms-hostages-rebels scheme
transparency · checks and balances · committees · sworn testimony · whistleblowers · watchdog agencies · resolutions · separation of powers · testimonies · Fifth Amendment · contempt of Congress · smoking gun · paper trail · investigations · fact-finding mission · reports · executive oversight · public trust
- congressional hearingscommittee, confirmation hearings, subcommittee, legislative hearings, witnesses
- oversightoversight committees, oversight board, review, auditors, supervisor
- Assassinationsassassination, assassin, Kennedy assassination, Lincoln assassination, MLK assassination
congressional inquirycriminal trial
Court case for crimes
criminal prosecution · court case · civil lawsuit · executive privilege · FBI investigation
congressional, congressionally, congressman, congresswoman, congressperson, congressmen, congresswomen, inquiry, inquire