It's hard to do effective questioning within the time limits and format of typical Congressional hearings. The members and staff who are best at it are the ones who can revise their questions on the fly to deal with stonewalling by witnesses.
Q: "On x. page of the report, it says..."
A: "Where's that in the report? I'm looking for that..." [stalling, eating up the member's time]
Q: "I'll withdraw the question and rephrase. On x date, you [met with/ said/ did], correct?"
A: [don't recall/ waffling]
A: "Where's that in the report? I'm looking for that..." [stalling, eating up the member's time]
Q: "I'll withdraw the question and rephrase. On x date, you [met with/ said/ did], correct?"
A: [don't recall/ waffling]
Q: "You testified to [other body] that you did."
A: [don't recall what I said/ waffling]
Q: "I've handed you a page of highlighted text from report that says...."
Etc.
Even well-prepped on facts, it's hard to walk thru a classic direct or cross-examination in the Cgal format.
A: [don't recall what I said/ waffling]
Q: "I've handed you a page of highlighted text from report that says...."
Etc.
Even well-prepped on facts, it's hard to walk thru a classic direct or cross-examination in the Cgal format.
But the most effective questioners adjust quickly to get around witness delays. The best witnesses adjust quickly, too.
Witnesses typically do extensive pre-hearing prep with their counsel.
Might benefit staff and members to engage in similar mock prep.
Witnesses typically do extensive pre-hearing prep with their counsel.
Might benefit staff and members to engage in similar mock prep.
