Leahy Lauds First 100 Days
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy said he believes the new Congress is "off to a strong start" in restoring accountability that eroded during what he called a "rubberstamp" Republican-led 109th session. Thursday marked the first 100 days of the 110th Congress.
In a statement, the Vermont Democrat cited his committee's probe of the FBI's improper use of so-called "national security letters" and the dismissal by the Bush administration of U.S. attorneys as examples of progress. He said the "pattern of abuse of authority and mismanagement" makes him wonder whether the FBI and Justice Department have been faithful stewards of American citizens' trust.
Leahy also pointed out that the President Bush's program for warrantless electronic wiretaps has been revised under the "watchful eye" of the new Democratic-led Congress. "We must engage in all surveillance necessary to prevent acts of terrorism, but we can and should do so in ways that protect the basic rights of all Americans," he said.
"For years preceding this new Congress, accountability has been lacking in this administration. Loyalty to the president has been rewarded over all else," Leahy said. "That lack of accountability, and lack of the checks and balances that fostered it, must end and, I hope, has ended."
As of midday, GOP leaders had not issued a statement on the new Congress's first 100 days. Late last month, the Pew Research Center reported that "pluralities of Americans approve of the way that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are handling their leadership roles."
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