mr. tatelman does not quibble. is an absolute right as he reads the constitution, while the late supreme court justice brennan may wish for consideration on our part, the constitution doesn't mandate it. as a matter-of-fact mr. tatelman's reading of the constitution is that's all in the fine print but we can't come if we wish, choose to ignore the consequences even if it's pending litigation over criminal trial. is that your reasoning as well, or deeply that really or that opinion by mr. brennan put some check and balance on the otherwise unfettered right of congress to seek information from the executive branch? >> i think what's being said is that the court would do what it was, was within its power if the congress ran roughshod over, in the case of an immediately, that's the phrase in the case, immediately pending trial. >> thank you. let me ask. let's deal with a hypothetical here. well, let's not deal with a hypothetical. let's deal with the example that chairman katie about oliver north. refresh my memory but

mr. tatelman. >> thank you, mr. chairman and ranking member cummings. i appreciate the opportunity for crs to be invited here to testify on behalf of that institution, we thank you for all of the work that you do for us, and we hope that we can continue top of service to the committee as we move forward. like my former colleague, mort rosenberg, i want to focus a little bit more on sort of the traditional history and sort of lay the groundwork for the congressional prerogative here and the constitutional basis sis for the power the committee is asserting to exercise. it's important to note, and i think our written testimonies do so note, that there is a long and consistent practice of legislative oversight of the other branches of government, be they either executive branches or in some cases judicial branch and oversight of the courts. that history goes all the way back to the british parliament and the parliament against the crown. it was connell firmed and practiced by the various clone call legislatures. the early congresses made no hesitation about