Lynn C. Woolsey: “earlier this week Deforest Soaries, chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, asked Homeland Security…”

“earlier this week Deforest Soaries, chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, asked Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to consider seeking the authority to postpone a Federal election. In response, I have composed a letter to Secretary Ridge expressing dismay at the very possibility of postponing an election. The letter has been signed by 90 other Members of Congress. Ninety percent of the Democrats have signed this letter and one Republican. Mr. Speaker, the leader reads, ``Dear Secretary Ridge, we are deeply troubled by reports that the Department of Homeland Security has asked the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel to analyze what steps would need to be taken to postpone the Presidential election in November of this year. ``We are also concerned that this important issue was not raised last week when Homeland Security Under Secretary Asa Hutchison, FBI Director Robert Mueller and Terrorist Threat and Interrogation Center Director John Brennan briefed Members of the Congress on the possibility of terrorist attacks affecting the upcoming elections. ``Any action taken by the Department of Homeland Security to postpone a Federal election, including requesting an informal review by the Justice Department, would present the greatest threat to date of our democratic process and would invite terrorists to disrupt the selection of our highest leader.”