Lee, Wexler, Conyers Introduce Resolution to Establish Select Committee on National Security and Civil Liberties
For Immediate Release
April 30, 2009
Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225-2661
Washington, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) along with original co-sponsors Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers introduced a resolution calling for the establishment of a select House committee to “study and make recommendations about the effectiveness of past and present U.S. law enforcement, national security and intelligence activities and the extent, if any, to which unlawful, improper or unauthorized activities were engaged in by or on behalf of any federal state or local government official.
“There is an urgent need for a select committee to investigate the conduct of member of the Bush Administration in light of recent media reports that the prior Administration conducted warrantless electronic surveillance against American citizens, including at least one Member of Congress.” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “The American public is calling for greater transparency and accountability in their government. This resolution answers that call, and those administration officials who abused their powers or exceeded their lawful authority will be held responsible for their actions.”
“We cannot look forward without fully understanding what occurred. This legislation is critical to peel back the veil of secrecy that the previous Administration used as cover to undermine our system of checks and balances, and to establish a clear line between what is necessary for our security and what is unlawful government intrusion and a violation of our civil liberties,” said Congressman Robert Wexler.
This legislation has been endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union.
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