GOP will keep pushing for Pelosi investigation
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}by Mosheh Oinounou
House Republicans will continue to push for an investigation into Speaker Nancy Pelosi's intelligence briefings despite failing Thursday to muster the necessary support for the effort.
"I would expect to see more resolutions like this," said Rep. Pete King (R-NY), ranking member of House Homeland Security committee. He described today's bill, which called for a bipartisan panel to investigate her claims that the CIA deceived Congress about interrogations practices, as "very moderate."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Democrats voted unanimously with the Speaker today, effectively killing the GOP resolution with a procedural motion before the Republican bill could be given an up or down vote. A Pelosi spokesman said the resolution is unnecessary since the Speaker has called for complete transparency and asked the CIA to disclose all the notes from the disputed 2002 intelligence briefing about interrogation techniques.
The top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI), told Fox that Republicans will "just keep pushing," until the House investigates the charges.
"She has thrown into question everything the CIA has done over the last 7 years but has provided no evidence," Hoekstra added. "I find it amazing."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Democratic talking points sent out from Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's office called the bill "partisan politics at its worst" and other colleagues mocked the Republican proposal.
"How humorous can they get? I mean, come on," said Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
But Republicans say that their continued effort will eventually convince sufficient Democrats to support an investigation.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"As this goes forward, Democrats are going to realize how dangerous this position is, how damaging to the country it is, and you will see more and more Democrats coming to our side," King said.
"I don't see how she can continue to function as Speaker until the facts are resolved," King added. "The Speaker of the House is not just head of the Democratic party, she is the head of the entire House. So she has really put a cloud over all of us."