Posted on 06/11/2014 12:56:36 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is backing away from her criticism of the White House deal to free Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
Feinstein has fueled the controversy by taking the Obama administration to task for not informing Congress ahead of time about the swap of five Taliban militants for Bergdahl.
She noted that committee chairman and ranking members opposed the swap when it was proposed at the end of 2011, which could explain why the administration wanted to keep lawmakers in the dark. But on Tuesday, she said it was time to end the debate.
“I think we need to put an end to all of this now. I think enough is enough. I think the Senate has had a hearing and the House has had a hearing,” she said. “Everybody has heard what they need to hear.”
Feinstein made her comments as senators on the Armed Services Committee emerged from a closed-door hearing on Bergdahl. Feinstein did not attend the briefing.
Seven senior administration officials testified before the panel but the session revealed little new information.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said he did not hear anything that was not already publicly reported.
“I do not know why the hearing was classified,” he said.
Administration officials managed to sway Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), an early skeptic of the deal, who said he now supports it.
“I was one of the big doubters because of the perception of trading a deserter for five [Taliban commanders] but I have changed by opinion. I think they have made a very good explanation of procedures that they were doing,” he said. “I find it justified.”
But other Democrats remain critical of the deal.
“My main concern is these five released prisoners,” said Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).
“Was it a good deal or a bad deal? In my mind it’s still a bad deal,” he said. “I’m still concerned about the threat of these five having the expertise and high-level rankings to enter the fight again.”
Manchin noted that the Taliban had tried repeatedly over the past several years to win the freedom of the five commanders and expressed befuddlement that President Obama would free them all at once.
Two new polls found large numbers of voters disapproved of the trade. A CBS News poll found 45 percent disapproved of the swap compared to 37 percent who backed it. A similar poll by USA Today found 43 percent opposed the trade, compared to 34 percent who thought it was the right thing to do.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is scheduled to testify at an open hearing before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday morning.
Senators said Bergdahl has briefed U.S. military officials in Landstuhl, Germany, about his captivity, which Manchin described as “pretty horrific.”
But lawmakers declined to get into details of his capture until military investigators are able to conduct a comprehensive review of how he fell into Taliban hands.
Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.) said the administration had very little time to provide Congress advance notice of the trade because they didn’t have final confirmation that it would take place until the day before.
“They knew a day ahead of time the transfer was going to take place,” Durbin told reporters in the Capitol, where military officials briefed the Senate Armed Services Committee behind closed doors. “They knew an hour ahead of time where it was going to take place.”
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he was notified a day in advance while other congressional leaders say they were informed the day of the swap.
A windy week in DC.
This SOB is untouchable, and he knows it.
“This SOB is untouchable, and he knows it. “
Someone else mentioned TinPot Barry this AM. I think it fits perfectly.
Ah, so the memo made it to her office with a reminder of Commandment 1: You shall never blaspheme The One.
Nixon basically was a Democrat. It took McGovern to make him look like a moderate.
To repeat what is so often said here —
No consequences = no limits on executive power = dictatorship
Feinstein said she’s heard enough, yet she didn’t even attend the briefing???? They REALLY think we are SO STUPID!
Difi taken behind the woodshed?
Of course she does. Fascism will do that.
Dianne Feinstein and Babs Boxer seem to be on meds that affect their mind. So are other Senators. Voinovich and Spector were for sure. With free medical care at Walter Reed they get the best and most advanced meds. Cost is irrelevant. What they crave is meds that make them functional enough to stay in office. If it messes up their mind and judgement they could care less because everyone flatters and kisses their ass anyway which gives them all swollen egos. And a license to lie and spin to their hearts consent
I think that’s probably what happened. I don’t know what Obama has on these people, but the slightest peep of dissent from the Dems is dealt with right away by this intimidating WH.
Not that DiFi is exactly a sterling example of courage and resolution, but she was generally not too bad on defense...until Obama got to her.
Traitor EXEMPT Feinstein admits she treasonously knew.
The EXEMPT phoney Feinstein KNEW knew America
was arming al Qaeda .. AND DID NOTHING.
She doesn’t want to get hit by a bus.
Uh-huh. I was wondering when they would shut her up.
Mind your language, please; there are ladies present.
a$$ is not a swear word ...I usually use arse. Is that one OK with you?
How about “He’s a horse’s ass”? Is this OK? How about “He’s a jackass”? OK by you?
No, it is not a swear word, but it is vulgar and, therefore, not nice.
I realize that this sounds priggish to younger people, but I am an old lady who was raised in a time when people were much more tempered in their language. When I was about 17, for example, I had a young man around my age apologize profusely to me because I had overheard him say the b-word.
You are not the first person I have posted that comment to, and I don’t think you will be the last. It annoys some people, I know, and I am sorry for that. But even though some resent my scolding,I am determined to continue with my one-woman mission of cajoling FReepers into returning to polite discourse, which is more in line with conservative principles.
Thank you. God bless.
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