Reid takes Senate into closed session over Iraq intelligence [View All]

[sabra]

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Reid_takes_Senate_into_closed_session_1101.html

Reid takes Senate into closed session over Iraq intelligence

Filed by RAW STORY


The Senate's Democratic leader Harry Reid (D-NV) unexpectedly pulled the Senate into secret session Tuesday afternoon in order to have closed discussion of Iraq intelligence, RAW STORY has learned.


The maneuver immediately shuttered the doors of the Senate and cleared the Senate press galleries. It has been invoked just 53 times in the history of the body. It was last used during the Clinton impeachment hearings.

Closed sessions were also employed in 1997 for the Chemical Weapons Convention, and in 1992 during debate over China's "Most Favored Nation" trade status.

The Senate can vote to end closed session by a simple majority. It is unknown how long the Senate will remain closed, Reid's office told RAW STORY.

just hit the AP:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051101/ap_on_go_co/senate_iraq_1

Democrats Force Closed Meeting on Iraq

WASHINGTON - Democrats forced the Republican-controlled Senate into an unusual closed session Tuesday, demanding answers about intelligence that led to the Iraq war. Republicans derided the move as a political stunt.

In a speech on the Senate floor, Democratic leader Harry Reid said the American people and U.S. troops deserved to know the details of how the United States became engaged in the war, particularly in light of the indictment of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff.

Reid demanded the Senate go into closed session. With a second by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the public was ordered out of the chamber, the lights were dimmed, senators filed to their seats on the floor and the doors were closed. No vote is required in such circumstances.

"The Libby indictment provides a window into what this is really all about, how this administration manufactured and manipulated intelligence in order to sell the war in Iraq and attempted to destroy those who dared to challenge its actions," Reid said before the doors were closed.

more:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9886959/

GOP furious at closed Senate session
Minority leader calls for unusual secret meeting about prewar intelligence


WASHINGTON - Democrats forced the Republican-controlled Senate into an unusual closed session Tuesday, questioning intelligence that President Bush used in the run-up to the war in Iraq and accusing Republicans of ignoring the issue.

...

“The United States Senate has been hijacked by the Democratic leadership,” said Majority Leader Bill Frist. “They have no convictions, they have no principles, they have no ideas,” the Republican leader said.

In a speech on the Senate floor, Reid said the American people and U.S. troops deserved to know the details of how the United States became engaged in the war, particularly in light of the indictment of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney’s former chief of staff.

Reid’s spokesperson said the purpose of the meeting was to persuade Republicans to reopen the investigation into the prewar intelligence, MSNBC.com’s Tom Curry reported. The Senate Intelligence Committee is chaired by Pat Roberts, R-Kan.