Barbara Boxer: “Two Federal judges have already found that the administration has violated the Freedom of Information Act. Openness is…”

“Two Federal judges have already found that the administration has violated the Freedom of Information Act. Openness is an American value. In the end, openness is a way of life. Do you remember how Condi Rice was not going to testify because the President said that she only reports to him and what she tells him is secret? Well, they caved on that one. They caved on that one because that is not in the public interest, and the people wouldn't stand for it. Do you remember when First Lady Hillary Clinton said she believed she didn't have to reveal who was sitting in on the health care task force meetings? Well, they were sued. And Hillary Clinton, now Senator Clinton, said: OK, OK. Let's not go to court. I will reveal this information. But not this administration, not Dick Cheney. He has a lot of time to bash Senator John Kerry, but he doesn't have time to open up the files and show the people who sat in on those meetings that led to the formulation of the national energy policy. It is remarkable--someone who didn't serve 1 minute, 1 hour in the military is taking on a war hero, John Kerry. But he doesn't have time to pay attention to this issue on which the New York Times editorialized today and said: [The Cheney] case also raises more substantive issues about the degree to which a vice president can claim to be above the law. This is a sad day. We already know because the Vice President admitted that Ken Lay attended those secret meetings. Yes, he did.…”