Robert Garcia, the Democratic congressman who will become the next chairman of the House Oversight Committee, had two words for Republicans Tuesday night: “Lawyer up.”
Garcia released his statement as a blue wave appeared to settle across the country after voters cast their ballots in the US midterm elections. Democrats have regained control of the U.S. Senate and are largely expected to do the same in the House.
The top politician’s simple statement reflects House Democrats’ desire to take over from Donald Trump’s administration in the coming year, after outperforming Republicans in the midterms.
Democrats won a series of key races Tuesday night, with news organizations reporting Democrats were on track to retake the House. Garcia, who is currently the lead member of the oversight committee, is expected to become its chairman.
The House Oversight Committee serves as an “oversight” committee and has broad powers to call witnesses, request government documents and issue subpoenas.
Garcia has previously said that, if Democrats win, he would lead investigations into Elon Musk’s role in the “Department of Government Efficiency (Doge),” the Trump family’s business dealings, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) abuses, and the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
“We’re not starting from scratch here,” Garcia previously told Punchbowl News. “There is a huge amount of work that has been done that is public, and there is a huge amount of work that has been done that we have been working on quietly for many months.”
Over the past two years, congressional Democrats have fought an uphill battle against Trump’s agenda, as Republicans held majorities in the House and Senate.
But before midnight Tuesday, Democrats flipped competitive House seats in Kentucky, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Ohio; as well as key Senate races.
Ron Wyden, the Democratic senator poised to lead the Senate Finance Committee, also discussed his possible future authority. “Subpoenas,” Wyden wrote on X.
With the Senate and House returning to Democratic hands, Garcia, Wyden and other congressional leaders will be able to direct and guide investigations into the US president, his allies and his agenda.
“We have the power to go to court on behalf of the House. We have the power of contempt, and not just criminal contempt, but civil contempt that goes to court. We have the power of subpoena,” Garcia told Punchbowl News.
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