Rep. Jim Hansen - the lone Republican in Utah's House delegation - is blasting all House Democrats for ordering "a blatantly political and useless investigation."
Last week on a straight party-line vote, the House ordered creation of a task force with a Democratic majority to investigate whether Ronald Reagan's 1980 campaign conspired with Iranian officials to delay the release of American hostages.Republicans unsuccessfully tried to have Jimmy Carter's administration included in any "October surprise" investigation.
Hansen said, "Candidly, I am shocked and amazed at the actions of those who voted in favor of this blatantly political and useless investigation, whether they be from Utah or Massachusetts."
Reps. Wayne Owens and Bill Orton, both D-Utah, voted for the bill.
Owens' press secretary, Art Kingdom, said, "If there's nothing to hide, what difference does it make? Enough accusations have been made that it would be useful to clean them up once and for all."
Orton's office did not respond to inquiries on the matter.