Congress will defy Justice Dept. ; Harman: 'We're in Constitutional crisis'

[tekisui]

Despite the Justice Department's objections, a Congressional panel will press ahead with its investigation into destroyed CIA interrogation tapes, according to a key Republican on the panel.

"I think we will issue subpoenas," said Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI), the House Intelligence Committee's ranking Republican, on Fox News Sunday (video below). "And once these witness appear in front of the committee, then I think we'll have to make the decision as to whether we're going to provide them with immunity or not. But our investigation should move forward."

As RAW STORY reported earlier, the Justice Department has refused outright to hand over any information about interrogation tapes destroyed by the CIA two years ago.

"The CIA did not tell us about the existence of these tapes," Hoekstra argued. "They did not tell us that they were going to be destroyed. ... here's a Constitutional responsibility for them to keep Congress informed and they have not and we need to hold them accountable."

Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), a top Democrat on the panel, says, "I am worried. It smells like the cover-up of the cover-up. ... Congress does absolutely need to exercise its Constitutional responsibility. We're an independent branch of government and we can do this very well."

Of White House stonewalling on the investigation, Harman says, "We have a system of checks and balances and it's broken. We're in Constitutional crisis because of the arrogant view of some in this administration that they can decide what the policy is, write the legal opinions to justify that policy and be accountable to no one."

link: http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Harman_sees_Constitutional_crisis_over_CIA_1216.html

[MannyGoldstein]

1. So What Will The "Yes Mr President Sir!" Dems Do About It?

Hold hearings about hearings?

But we'll keep voting for the same folks, time and again. Incredible.

[EFerrari]

3. No, they'll appoint two dirty congressmen to investigate.

Wait -- they already did that.

I couldn't interest anyone in this but check it out:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2480172

[MannyGoldstein]

5. Ugh - Even Less Exposure Than Toothless Hearings

I need a beer.

[EFerrari]

7. The corruption is staggering. There's not enough beer in the world

to disinfect this mess.

[L. Coyote]

2. Dems AND Rs in Congress were lied to. I smell a Rebellion on the Hill!

About the most significant of National Security matters. That is absolutely intolerable, since every vote to follow was corrupted.

Aahh, remember when the Rs went from the Hill to visit Dick Nixon .... that was the end of the end!!

[MannyGoldstein]

6. But Republicans (And Democrats) In Nixon's Time Were Cut From Different Cloth

They had all sorts of quaint ideas about right and wrong, about responsibility, and about governing being a high priority for elected representatives.

[L. Coyote]

11. "The CIA did not tell us about the existence of these tapes," Hoekstra argued.

That is not just going away! Do you think Bush can pawn this off on the CIA?

We have a CIA director who is a co-conspirator of the illegal spying, he was NSA when that happened.

[Truth2Tell]

13. On this we can agree

I also smell the tide shifting. Hoekstra is a world class douche bag but all we need are his yes votes on this - it's not like he's going to personally lead the investigative team. I believe critical elements of the Congressional/Intelligence/Media power structure have at long last turned against this administration fer real.

There's blood in the water.

[pocoloco]

4. LOL

Letting their mouth overload their ass!!!

[Imagevision]

8. it's gotten to the point where I don't believe in the Dem's anymore...

[K Gardner]

9. We were in "constitutional crisis" when the Supreme Court handed Bush the WH..

I'll believe they'll do something when I see them do something. These are the same people who didn't even have the courage to walk out with the black caucus 7 years ago.

[Disturbed]

10. The Repug idea of granting Immunity seems to be the standard

of the entire Congress. When will anyone actually be held accountable for
their crimes?

[babylonsister]

12. Thank you for posting this. Damned if we do, damned if we don't.

The comments are negative but the recommends are up there. Let's think. And talk. And try to find the truth for a change. E-mail Olbermann or anyone you trust if you read a story from a source you trust. Get the word out. If we won't do it, who will?

[EFerrari]

14. I don't mean to be negative about the Democrats.

Do you remember being happy because the 9/11 Commission was formed -- and then, realizing that it was staffed with people who were going to make sure the outcome was palatable? This is a similar situation.

To be fair, I haven't dug up half as much about Reyes as I have about Hoekstra. The Republican is a real gem. He's calling the intelligence community all kinds of names in the press, in public and is totally in bed with the industry in private.

I wonder if it merits a phone call to Waxman's office.