Tensions Heating Up Over Packwood Case Gop Chairman Warns Democrats Hearings Could ‘Work Both Ways’

The Republican chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, chafing over Democratic pressure for public hearings on Bob Packwood, says Democrats should know such inquiries could “work both ways.” That could mean hearings on the Senate’s Democratic leader “and Chappaquidick,” he says.

Asked about chairman Mitch McConnell’s remarks, Senate Minority Leader Thomas Daschle, D-S.D., said, “I don’t think it’s appropriate. They can look at me as much as they want. I don’t think connecting the two does anybody any good, and it’s unfortunate.”

Senate sources described a tense, angry, closed meeting on Tuesday, when the committee began deliberations on hearings for Packwood, R-Ore., who chairs the Finance Committee. McConnell, R-Ky., unexpectedly adjourned the next day’s committee meeting without a decision on hearings and without scheduling more deliberations.

McConnell, who had no immediate comment, said during Tuesday’s meeting that he was upset that Sen. Richard Bryan of Nevada, the panel’s top Democrat, had called publicly for open hearings on Packwood, alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct and abuse of his office.

McConnell then expressed displeasure that Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who is not on the committee, was threatening to introduce a resolution to force hearings if the committee did not approve them.

Sources, describing the face-off only on grounds of anonymity, said McConnell looked at Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., at the meeting and said, “I want you to tell her (Boxer) if she does that, we will offer amendments for hearings on Daschle and Chappaquidick.”

“It will work both ways,” McConnell reportedly said. “I want you to tell her that right away.”

This was a reference to the 1969 drowning of a woman in a car driven by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.; and allegations that Daschle tried to eliminate a government charter inspection program at the request of a friend’s air charter company.

The other committee members reportedly were stunned at McConnell’s statements and were momentarily silent. Mikulski agreed to relay the comments to Boxer.

Sources said Boxer later confronted McConnell on the Senate floor and asked whether he was threatening her. McConnell reportedly said he was not threatening Boxer but “promising” to hold the hearings on Democrats.