Pelosi Letter to Hastert on Hoekstra's Disciplining of Democratic Staffer

[bigtree]

10/20/2006 7:17:00 PM

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=74763

Contact: Brendan Daly or Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi sent the following letter to Speaker Hastert today regarding Intelligence Committee Chairman Peter Hoekstra's unilateral suspension of a Democratic staffer's security clearance.

Below is the text of the letter:

October 20, 2006

The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert

Speaker

United States House of Representatives

H 232 The Capitol

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker:

I am writing to reiterate the concerns I expressed to you earlier today about the outrageous action taken by Intelligence Committee Chairman Hoekstra, against a member of the Democratic staff.

There is nothing more important than keeping Americans safe. You and I share the critical goals of protecting our national security and safeguarding the intelligence processes upon which our security depends. Mr. Hoekstra's action furthers neither goal.

The unilateral decision by Mr. Hoekstra to suspend the clearances of a Democratic staff member without consultation with the Ranking Democrat, Congresswoman Harman, or an investigation of any kind is unprecedented and reckless. Any action against a staff member's clearance should come at the conclusion of an investigation, not before one even begins, and a decision to undertake an investigation should only come after consultation with the Ranking Democrat, as required by committee rules.

The National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on global terrorism was sent to at least six committees of Congress in May of 2006. Hundreds of people in the executive branch were also aware of its contents. Absolutely no evidence has been provided by Mr. Hoekstra that the disclosure to the media of the NIE came from Congress in general or specifically from a member, or a staff member, of the House Intelligence Committee.

It is impossible to escape the conclusion - especially since it has been acknowledged by Republican members of the committee - that Mr. Hoekstra's unilateral action against the staff member was in retaliation for the release by Ms. Harman of an unclassified committee report on the means by which former Congressman Cunningham influenced Intelligence Committee business. The report was an embarrassment to the Republican leadership of the committee, as it should have been, however, that is no justification for the action taken against the staff member.

I urge you to personally review this matter immediately in light of the concerns I have expressed to you. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Nancy Pelosi

House Democratic Leader


http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=74763



http://journals.democraticunderground.com/bigtree

[upi402]

1. Good for her

good for America

[Doctor_J]

2. She's midguided

"You and I share the critical goals"

bzzzzt. Denny's gola is to maintain the dictatorship we currently live in. Hers is to salvage our once great country from evil.

[bigtree]

4. She's acting like a leader

showing integrity and comity

[ShortnFiery]

3. Go Nancy. Misguided, my ass!

Nancy Pelosi rules! :applause:

[Monkeyman]

5. Tell Her

http://democraticleader.house.gov

[ShortnFiery]

6. Thank you, I will

Yes, an highly intelligence, attractive, diplomatic, strong, petite WOMAN as the Speaker of the House. Nancy not only is capable but she makes the Right Wing Sexist Republicans go nuts.

We get it all with Nancy Pelosi. :-)