Thompson, DeFazio, Carney Call on White House to Provide Emergency Plans
Friday, July 27, 2007
July 27, 2007 – Today, Committee on Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight Chairman Christopher P. Carney (D-PA), and Homeland Security Committee member Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) sent a letter to Frances Townsend, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism regarding the rejection of a request by the Committee to allow Congressman DeFazio to view classified portions related to federal emergency continuity plans in the “Homeland Security Presidential Directive-20”.
The text of the letter is attached.
Congressman Thompson released the following statement along with the letter:
“Once again the Bush Administration has shown a lack of respect for this Congress, but more importantly, they have displayed a lack of respect for the Constitution by not recognizing the equality of the three branches of government. The denial of the Administration to provide this vital national security document raises serious concerns about how they plan to insure the continuity of government should a catastrophic incident take place.”
Congressman DeFazio added the following:
"I can't see any reason or justification to deny a member of Congress the right to review how the Administration intends to conduct the government of the United States after a catastrophic national emergency," DeFazio said. "I thought this was a routine request, but this makes you wonder."
Congressman Carney also added:
“This is a disturbing and inexplicable refusal by the Administration to cooperate with Congressional oversight activities. As Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, I am troubled by the White House's attempt to block our inquiry into the government’s continuity of operations plan. I came to Congress to fight bureaucracy and increase transparency, and I will continue to demand nothing short of complete cooperation with the Homeland Security Committee’s oversight efforts."
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Dena Graziano or Todd Levett at (202) 225-9978.
