BernieHund: The Political Watchdog

The Secret Session was brought up by Representative Blount.  Rep. Dennis Kucinich quizzed the the motion.  When has specific legislation gone in secret preliminary to a vote?  Rep. Kucinich pressed other representatives as to why there was a need for secrecy.  In his twelve years in the House he has never seen anything like this.

In 1983 on Contra and 1979 and 1980, there were secret sessions.  Prior to that, the last Secret Session was held in 1825.  One of the members of the House suggested that he had attended the three latest and heard nothing but “mumbo-jumbo” and nothing of value. 

A representative from Georgia believes that the session is necessary although extraordinary.  From New York, it was suggested that Congress is frowned on enough by the public and called the measure extreme.  Why was the secret information not taken to the Intelligence Committee, rather than the House? 

Is the “secret information” on Top Secret Level or Secret Level?  That was an unanswered question.  It was finally decided that it was on the Secret Level.

Is there imminent danger? (Question from Ohio)  Apparently not. 

Lady from California wanted to know why Intelligence Committee did not receive information.  To what end is the Secret Session being held?  The lady felt manipulated with scare tactics.

It was finally stated that the Intelligence Committee has the information.

Anything that is stated or related in the Secret Session cannot be spoken of in the House in public.  The Secret Squirrels will meet for one hour.  Members of the House will be emailed when the session is over.

Kucinich says that some believe the House is becoming too secretive.  The House is the only place in America where a person can stand and say anything he wants without any fear whatsoever, according to Rep. Kucinich.

He has found from his own experience, that secret meetings turn into occasions for transference of secret information that has not been forthright or true.

Classified material was the first stated reason, although it was allowed that there would be other materials discussed.

After the hour long debate as to whether the House should go into Secret Session, Dennis Kucinich came back with book and page as he vigorously argued against the lights out hour long session.  As Dennis pointed out, the House can at some time vote to make the Secret Session a matter of record.

Let’s hear it for Dennis!  He stated that he would not attend any such meeting. A gentleman from Florida decided not to attend the session.  Lady from Ohio will not attend.