USA TODAY sports
Politics has become increasingly partisan in recent years. This dynamic has infected the Washington Commanders congressional investigation.
Leading Democratic and Republican members of the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee are openly bickering over the investigation into the NFL franchise, which began as a review of allegations of workplace misconduct but has spiraled in recent days into an investigation into allegations about several developed financial improprieties.
Rep. James Comer, the leading Republican on the committee, sent a letter to Rep. Carolyn Maloney, the committee chair and a Democrat, via the Washington Post on Thursday.
“Your reckless, purposeful investigation is an embarrassment to our committee and an abuse of congressional oversight,” Comer wrote to Maloney. “It’s another example of Democrats pushing the boundaries of what Congress is allowed to investigate. . . . Even if this investigation was conducted with a balanced and reasonable finding of fact, which was not the case, there is no recourse to the Board of Supervisors for any of the allegedly injured parties. This investigation is a waste of valuable taxpayers’ money – especially at a time when the American people are grappling with rising inflation.”
The respective positions are no surprise. The Democratic Party typically champions the causes of individuals. The Republican Party generally sides with business and American corporate interests.
Rep. Comer also suggested that given the discrepancy between the letter sent by the committee to the Federal Trade Commission last week and the response from Commander’s External Counsel Jordan Siev, Rep. Maloney give Rep. Maloney the opportunity to former Washington employee Jason Friedman should amend his previous statements or refer the matter to the Justice Department for investigation into the veracity of the statements made by Friedman.
That’s a very fair point. Someone tells a story that is not the truth. Whether it’s Friedman or the team, someone with the power to get to the bottom of this has got to do it.
Attorney Lisa Banks reiterated Friedman’s position that his version is correct in a new statement released Thursday. Banks’ statement also makes the clearest reference to a non-disclosure agreement that keeps Friedman from discussing the situation.
“Again, Mr. Friedman stands by his testimony before Congress, which was based on actions he himself took on behalf of the team and which was supported by contemporary documents,” Banks said. “In response, he was personally and professionally attacked by the team and now by a member of Congress. Unfortunately, Mr. Friedman remains contractually unable to publicly defend himself, but is willing and able to answer any questions the government, including Representative Comer, may have about his experiences or actions on behalf of the Washington Commanders .”
Rep. Maloney is also making a statement in response to Rep. Comer’s letter.
“That surprises me [Comer] Believes that protecting workers from toxic workplaces is not an issue worthy of the Committee’s attention, especially after both Democratic and Republican members condemned the “disgusting behavior” the Committee’s investigation uncovered and increased transparency demanded,” Maloney said. “During [Comer] believing we should have ignored disturbing evidence of possible financial wrongdoing that we received during this investigation, I decided it would be more responsible to escalate this to the Federal Trade Commission, which can now determine whether further action is warranted. The committee’s investigation into the team’s toxic work culture and the NFL’s handling of this matter continues so we can ensure employers are held accountable for their conduct and American workers are protected from harassment, discrimination and other workplace misconduct. “
The sharp disagreements in tone and substance of Comer and Maloney’s messages show the investigation has a shelf life. If Republicans regain control of the House via the November 2022 election, the inquiry will end, regardless of whether it actually ends.