Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle acknowledged many unresolved questions about Chinese influence in U.S. campaigns but said the Justice Department investigation is sufficient. Mr. Daschle said a congressional probe is not appropriate unless it is linked to legislation aimed at revamping the federal election law that governs the way campaigns are financed. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York is the only Democrat so far to call for an independent counsel to investigate the charges. Mr. Moynihan has said the evidence suggests an attack on the U.S. political system by the Chinese. I still think that.
Republicans see an opportunity to resuscitate the flagging campaign-finance investigation.
The Senate hearings have concluded and the House probe has erupted into a bitter partisan debate over the approach and tactics of House Government Reform and Oversight Committee Chairman Dan Burton, Indiana Republican. But the new reports of a possible quid pro quo involving Chinese money and satellite technology have proven explosive on Capitol Hill. Even Democrats have gone out of their way to criticize it. I want everything to come out with regard to this. The official Democratic Party line offers campaign-finance reform as the solution to any improprieties uncovered in the investigation.