Rand Paul demands Congress ‘apologize’ to Apple for tax avoidance hearing

[JDPriestly]

35. The Republicans do not seem to understand the purpose of Congressional hearings.

Congress' authority to hold the hearings derives from the necessary and proper clause in Article I, section 8 of the Constitution.

The purpose of the hearings is not to embarrass or punish people but to determine whether laws are being properly carried out by the executive branch and whether the existing laws need to be changed better to reach the goals of the government.

For example, the reason for calling Apple executives before Congress is not to punish them. Congress doesn't have the authority to sentence the guilty. That's the job of the courts. Article III of the Constitution provides the structure of the courts and instructs on their authority.

Rand Paul puts himself out there as such an expert on the Constitution. Really?

Check Wikipedia on congressional oversight and the Constitution if you don't believe me.