Posted on 07/09/2006 9:22:35 AM PDT by prairiebreeze
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration was running several intelligence programs, including one major activity, that it kept secret from Congress until whistle-blowers told the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, the committee's chairman said on Sunday.
Rep. Pete Hoekstra, a Michigan Republican who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, said on Fox News Sunday he had written a four-page to President George W. Bush in May warning him that the failure to disclose the intelligence activities to Congress may be a violation of the law.
In doing so, he confirmed a story that first ran in Sunday editions of the New York Times.
"I take it very, very seriously otherwise I would not have written the letter to the president," Hoekstra said.
"This is actually a case where the whistle-blower process was working appropriately and people within the intelligence community brought to my attention some programs that they believed we had not been briefed on. They were right," said Hoekstra, a close ally of Bush.
"We asked by code name about some of these programs. We have now been briefed on those programs but I wanted to reinforce to the president and to the executive branch and the intelligence community how important by law is the requirement that they keep the legislative branch informed of what they are doing," Hoekstra said.
The White House declined to comment directly on the allegations in Hoekstra's letter. "We will continue to work closely with the chairman and other congressional leaders on important national security issues," said Alex Conant, a White House spokesman.
Critics have charged that the Bush administration has a penchant for secrecy and has pushed its legal powers to the limit and possibly beyond in pursuing its "war on terror." But Hoekstra's complaint was particularly significant since it came from a strong supporter of the administration's tactics.
Hoekstra complained in his letter to Bush that the U.S. Congress "simply should not have to play 'Twenty Questions' to get the information that it deserves under our Constitution."
In the letter and the interview, Hoekstra did not provide details about the programs, which presumably remain secret.
Hoekstra had been briefed about both the National Security Agency's domestic surveillance program and the Treasury Department's tracking of international banking transactions, both of which were leaked to the media.
He said he did not expect to be briefed about everything intelligence agencies were doing but at least one of the secret activities was a major program which Congress definitely should have been informed about.
In the letter, Hoekstra said the lack of disclosure possibly constituted a "breach of responsibility by the administration, a violation of the law, and, just as importantly, a direct affront to me and the members of this committee
In view of the leaks over national security to the NY Times, there is little wonder why the WH would be hesitant to the point of impenatrable silence to inform congress (notoriously leaky) about anti-terror programs.
Further, if the congress would show one tenth the backbone in sustaining their power balance against the breaches that the SCOTUS levels against them and their legislation as they show toward undermining the executive branch, the entire country and rest of western civilization would be much better off.
sheesh.
Tactics which have saved lives, prevented attacks and nabbed terrorists. And which al-Reuters heartily disapproves of. ping
Imagine, a "penchant for secrecy" while fighting a war. Hard to believe, isn't it?
ping
I saw Hoekstra on Fox News this morning and unfortunately, they neglected to ask him "Since this letter, which was confidential information between the Congress and White House was leaked from your committee, do you intend to investigate this leak and prosecute the leaker?"
Indeed. Given the leaks from Congress, the White House would be derelict in its sworn duty if they exposed vital national security programs not to Congressional oversight but rather to the enemies of our country. Get your House in order first, Hoekstra.
yeah.. it's unimaginable! ypu know.. these lefties and co. are gonna feel it at the ballot box and the wallet come November.
And how did Hoekstra's jsut happen to reach the NYT
This is all BS and it smells to me
Great catch!
grrrr
Should be
And how did Hoekstra's LETTER just happen to reach the NYT
There, fixed it for you...By law the Executive Branch is required to inform the Legislative Branch on certain issues. This was not done. Just good to see some Republicans haven't drunk all the partisan koolaid and are realizing how far the Executive Branch has moved from the original intent of the Framers
Dear Congressman Hoekstra is eat up with Potomac Fever. Sheesh; what part of war do these dweebs not understand?
I doubt it .. I think we all know how the NYT rec'd that letter
This wasn't just a leak of a letter .. it was another leak of a national security program in this war
These people are going to get more Americans killed
Seems so don't it. This kind of crap ain't gonna' help anyone... DON'T TAKE PRIVATE FIGHTS TO THE MSM!
Certain issues, yes. And that of course, has happened and continues to happen (dont' you ever read?)
But since congress can't be trusted to keep it's yap shut, I'd prefer the EB looking out for my neck when it comes to sensitive anti-terrorism programs, thankyouverymuch.
As for the SCOTUS (and allow me here to widen that to include a large share of the judiciary in the nation), that neuters congress (federal and state) AS WELL AS VOTERS with a dull rusty knife several times a year, it would just be refreshing to see congress stand up for their constituents and itself against these legal tyrants. Even a little bit.
Instead they limp off with tails between their legs to lick their wounds....once again.
I will buy into that when the leakers are frog marched out of Congress or the NYTimes directly to jail. Until then, the President is fulfilling his oath of office.
Indeed I do. Don't you?
Rep. Pete Hoekstra, a Michigan Republican who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, said on Fox News Sunday he had written a four-page to President George W. Bush in May warning him that the failure to disclose the intelligence activities to Congress may be a violation of the law.
It wasn't done in this case and it makes me wonder exactly what other cases it hasn't been done in.
But since congress can't be trusted to keep it's yap shut, I'd prefer the EB looking out for my neck when it comes to sensitive anti-terrorism programs, thankyouverymuch.
Oh yes, much better one political hack do it than 536. You are too willing to put a lot of power into the hands of one man. Washington warned against this. Unfortunately party faithful apparently don't care.
As for the SCOTUS (and allow me here to widen that to include a large share of the judiciary in the nation), that neuters congress (federal and state) AS WELL AS VOTERS with a dull rusty knife several times a year, it would just be refreshing to see congress stand up for their constituents and itself against these legal tyrants. Even a little bit.
What cases in particular are you addressing? Just the cases from SCOTUS mind you.
There are only a handful of Congress members that cannot resist showboating on tv. I thought Hoekstra was above this-apparently not.
I do not want national security measures and programs discussed in public or printed in the paper- especially during war time.
To our nation's shame, there are too few Congress members who understand this concept.
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