:: The Rational Radical Blog ::

Saturday, October 11, 2003

House Panel Votes Not to Force Iraq to Repay Aid  Even Republicans are fighting back against rampant Bushian secrecy and un-accountability:

The committee chairman, C. W. Bill Young of Florida, said he was concerned that a recent White House reorganization putting the national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, in charge of reconstruction efforts would stymie Congressional efforts to compel administration testimony on Iraq.

As an adviser to the president, Ms. Rice cannot be summoned to Congressional hearings or compelled to turn over information to Congress, unlike officials who are confirmed by the Senate.

As a result, the committee unanimously approved an amendment prohibiting any of the $87 billion to be coordinated by a government officer not subject to confirmation by the Senate.

And the award for Congressional cowardice goes to:

Representative Zach Wamp, Republican of Tennessee, also planned a loan amendment but said he could not withstand the pressure from the president. 'If his eyes would have been lasers,' he said of Mr. Bush, 'mine would have been burned out.'

His name should be Wimp, not Wamp!

Jack Clark 10:12 PM [+]   
Post #106593556046288179