Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
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	Press Releases May 15, 2003   LIEBERMAN SEEKS ANSWERS ON USE OF HOMELAND SECURITY RESOURCES   WASHINGTON - Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., demanded answers Thursday from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on why department resources were used to track down Texas legislators embroiled in a bitter state feud over a proposed redistricting plan. According to the Fort Worth Star Telegram, the department’s Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that one of its agencies - the Air and Marine Interdiction Coordination Center based in Riverside, Calif. - had assisted Texas law enforcers in trying to locate a small plane owned by Rep. Peter Laney, the former Democratic speaker of the state House of Representatives. “If this report is accurate, I am outraged that Homeland Security resources are being used to help settle partisan political scores,” Lieberman said. “It is inconceivable that anyone would waste scarce department resources for such an indefensible purpose at a time when police and firefighters around the country are being laid off because of tight state budgets and insufficient federal aid. Lieberman asked Secretary Ridge for a full investigation of the incident. “I want to hear from whoever it was who thought the department’s mission includes assisting the Republican party of Texas in a party dispute. How involved were department personnel and what steps will be taken to ensure that something like this never happens again?” Democratic legislators in Texas fled the state this week to avoid having to vote on a Republican redistricting plan that replaced one crafted by an impartial, three-judge panel.   ###   Printable Version   Related File(s) (pdf) Lieberman’s letter to Ridge (21.6 KBs) « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 May 2003 Press Releases April   |  June   --   2002   |  2004     May 27 - Preserve Natural Resources, Control Costs Borne By Taxpayers, Lieberman Asks for Evaluation of Land Management Where Mining, Oil and Gas Exploration Occur   May 27 - Lieberman Calls on White House to Provide List of All Contacts Regarding Missing Texas Legislators   May 22 - Sunshine for Iraqi Reconstruction Projects Included in Senate Defense Bill   May 22 - Lieberman Calls For Accountability From The Top   May 22 - Lieberman Wants Document Destruction Added To Inquiry   May 22 - Lieberman Cheers Senate Approval Of Firefighter Reinforcement   May 21 - Lieberman: Coast Guard Needs More Than Lip Service   May 20 - Administration Policy Shows No Respect For Seniors   May 16 - Lieberman Calls For Hearings To Examine Iraqi Contracts   May 15 current Press Release   May 15 - Lieberman: Investing in Homeland Security: Challenges Facing State and Local Governments   May 8 - Dodd, Lieberman Announce $8.6 Million for Connecticut   May 8 - Lieberman To Administration: Stop Blocking Release Of Joint Intelligence Committee Report   May 7 - Lieberman Letter to Senate Appropriations Committee   May 1 - Investing in Homeland Security: Challenges Facing State and Local Governments
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Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510