Plame to the Hill
Kathryn Jean Lopez
The Corner
<<< Oversight Committee Announces Hearing on disclosure of CIA agent's identity
WASHINGTON, DC - Today Chairman Henry A. Waxman announced a hearing on whether White House officials followed appropriate procedures for safeguarding the identity of CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson. At the hearing, the Committee will receive testimony from Ms. Wilson and other experts regarding the disclosure and internal White House security procedures for protecting her identity from disclosure and responding to the leak after it occurred. The hearing is scheduled for Friday, March 16.
In addition, the Committee today sent a letter to Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald commending him for his investigation and requesting a meeting to discuss testimony by Mr. Fitzgerald before the Committee. The letter - and multiple previous letters Rep. Waxman has written on the Valerie Plame Wilson matter - are available at www.oversight.house.gov. The text of today's letter follows:
March 8, 2007
The Honorable Patrick J. Fitzgerald
Special Counsel
Office of Special Counsel
Bond Federal Building
1400 New York Avenue NW
Ninth Floor
Washington, DC 20530
Dear Mr. Fitzgerald:
I commend you on your professional and thorough investigation into the disclosure of Valerie Plame Wilson's identity as a covert CIA agent. It is apparent that you followed the facts where they led and served the interests of justice and the American people.
By necessity, your investigation had a narrow legal focus: Were any federal criminal statutes violated by White House officials? Your investigation, however, has raised broader questions of national significance. I am writing to invite you to meet to discuss how the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which is the principal oversight committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, can become informed of your views about these broader issues.
The identity of undercover CIA operatives is supposed to be one of the most closely guarded national security secrets. There are a host of administrative requirements designed to safeguard this type of information from disclosure. Yet the trial proceedings raise questions about whether senior White House officials, including the Vice President and Senior Advisor to the President Karl Rove, complied with the requirements governing the handling of classified information. They also raise questions about whether the White House took appropriate remedial action following the leak and whether the existing requirements are sufficient to protect against future leaks. Your perspective on these matters is important.
After the verdict was announced yesterday, one juror expressed the view that former Chief of Staff to the Vice President Lewis "Scooter" Libby was only a "fall guy." This juror's views encapsulated questions that many in Congress and the public have about whether the ultimate responsibility for the outing of Ms. Wilson rests with more senior officials in the White House. This is another area where you have a unique perspective.
I recognize that as a federal prosecutor, you are constrained by the rules of grand jury secrecy. But you undoubtedly recognize that Congress has a responsibility to examine the policy and accountability questions that your investigation has raised. As a result of your investigation, you have a singular understanding of the facts and their implications that bear directly on the issues before Congress.
I respectfully request that you meet with me and the Committee's Ranking Member, Tom Davis, to discuss the possibility of testifying before the Committee and other means by which you can inform the Committee about your views and the insights you obtained during the course of your investigation.
I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you.
Sincerely,
Henry A. Waxman
Chairman
cc: Tom Davis
Ranking Minority Member >>>
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