Mike Levin: “Denying Members of this body information is part of a woeful pattern of this administration denying information to the…”

“Denying Members of this body information is part of a woeful pattern of this administration denying information to the Congress. Even the Republicans of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittees and the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee over in the House included language in their bill which says that the Bush administration should be criticized ``for its lack of responsiveness to repeated Congressional requests for information.'' Mr. President, this Senate, as a body, should insist on legitimate requests for information from its Members. Every Member--every Member-- should add his or her voice to the demand for the production of relevant documents which Senators need to decide on confirmation or for any other legitimate reason. This body will be a lesser place if we do not stand with each other when it comes to gaining access to documents, at least in the absence of a claim of executive privilege. Now, I happen to believe we should give deference to the President on the selection of his team, but deference does not mean abdication of our best judgment when a nominee crosses the line. If we do that, we will send the wrong message to anyone working in the intelligence community who sees Mr. Bolton's behavior rewarded rather than seeing him held accountable.…”