Big Question, July 10: Has the CIA lost credibility with lawmakers, or has the issue been unfairly politicized?

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) said:

I think the Democrats in House are losing credibility with the American people for picking at the CIA when the CIA ought to be protecting the country. It looks like they are still trying to explain what Speaker Pelosi knew or didn’t know about waterboarding. As I look ahead we have a good strong leader in the CIA, Leon Panetta. He’s experienced in government, he’s a good Democrat, he ought to know what he’s doing. If they have and questions with how the CIA is operating I would think the Democrats in house could talk to him and not make such a spectacle of the whole thing.

Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) said:

I think the Pelosi statement that got her in a hole has put some of my Democratic friends in the House on a counter attack strategy that’s destroying morale in the CIA and doing nothing to build stronger relations with the CIA. I think Leon Panetta is doing his best and I wish him well because it’s important that we be able to continue aggressive oversight and have the cooperation of the CIA. The Democratic House members are trying to build up the Speaker by tearing down the CIA and that’s bad for our intelligence and National Security.

Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) said:

“It certainly is a controversy. But we have a new director who understands it’s important that Congress have the oversight it’s charged to do as a co-equal branch of government.”

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) said:

“I think it is very important to restore what needs to be a very open relationship with the policy-makers and the overseers. The CIA is at the cutting edge of national security and all members of Congress respect the intensity of their work.”

“There has to be a rule that completely dissolves any intention to misrepresent to the United States Congress.”

Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA) said:

“For a lot of us they didn’t have credibility. We have come to expect that they are not going to be forthcoming.”

“I’ve never had a good experience with them.”

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) said:

“I think it has. These things are damaging and that’s why it needs to be repaired. I was happy to hear this morning on the news that the CIA Director has ordered a review of how best to inform Congress.”

“This has everything to do with national security – if we’re not briefed in a full and complete way – and I mean full – we can’t do our job of oversight and our policy will necessarily be lacking.”

Christopher Farrell, Judicial Watch Director of Investigations & Research, said:

The issue has been unfairly politicized. Speaker Pelosi found herself in an untenably awkward political position concerning her full knowledge of and assent to “enhanced interrogation techniques.” She played a card she knew the CIA would be either unable or unwilling to overtly counter without compromising additional classified material. Professional intelligence case officers who risk their lives and the long-term collection operations of the CIA should trump Speaker Pelosi’s personal ambition and political image. Not in Washington, DC, in 2009. One way to resolve the matter is for Attorney General Holder to direct the FBI (or a Special Counsel) to conduct an investigation of Speaker Pelosi’s claims. If they’re true, crimes have been committed. Don’t hold your breath.