Blog Post

From the Intelligence Committee:

Reyes, Hoekstra Announce Investigation into the Destruction of CIA Interrogation Videotapes

Washington, D.C. -- House Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) and the committee's top Republican Pete Hoekstra (Michigan) issued the following statement today:

It is with great pride that Americans congratulate Vice President Al Gore on receiving one of the world's highest honors - the Nobel Peace Prize.

As leaders meet in Bali, Al Gore has sent a message that America is prepared to show real leadership in combating climate change. Just last week, the House passed a sweeping energy bill that included a historic increase in fuel efficiency standards. Though Republicans in the Senate have blocked action on this legislation, we will continue to work in a bicameral, bipartisan basis to pass a strong energy bill that addresses the climate crisis.

From the Oversight Committee:

Speaker Pelosi is pleased to announce the birth of her seventh grandchild, Thomas Vincent Vos, second son of Alexandra Pelosi and Michiel Vos. Thomas, who was born at 6:43 p.m. last night in New York City, weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 21.5 inches long. Mother and son are both doing well.

Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes and Ranking Member Peter Hoekstra wrote to CIA Director Hayden regarding his recent announcement that "the leaders of our oversight committees in Congress were informed of the videos years ago and of the Agency's intention to dispose of the material." Reps. Reyes and Hoekstra respond, "this simply is not true." Read the full letter:

December 7, 2007

The Honorable Michael V. Hayden

Director

Central Intelligence Agency

Washington, D.C. 20505

Rep. Jane Harman, Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence & Terrorism Risk Assessment, issued the following statement today in response to news that the CIA destroyed detainee interrogation tapes:

Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers and Reps. Robert Scott, William Delahunt and Jerrold Nadler have sent letters to Central Intelligence Agency Director Gen. Michael Hayden and Attorney General Michael Mukasey requesting details about today's reports that the CIA destroyed videotapes of interrogation activities. In particular, the Members ask whether the Justice Department knew about the tapes and their destruction and whether Justice will now investigate the matter.

Full letter to CIA Director Hayden:

December 7, 2007

General Michael V. Hayden

The House has just passed the Energy Independence and Security Act by a vote of 235-181. The bill will put us on a path toward energy independence--to strengthen national security, lower energy costs, grow our economy and create new jobs, and begin to reduce global warming.