Hoyer: Democratic Caucus Supports Pelosi

By Michael Combier-Talk Radio News Service

This morning, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) stressed that the Nancy Pelosi-CIA debate should be left behind and that the media should focus on more important subjects. In a press briefing, Hoyer talked mainly about the Pelosi-Debate and what will be dealt by Congress in the coming days in order to recover from the economic crisis.

“I believe the Speaker when she says she wasn’t specifically briefed on the interrogation techniques,” Hoyer said. After the Democrats met last night, Hoyer pointed out that “the caucus is solid” and that “nobody mentioned the subject.”

Responding to the allegations that the CIA misled Congress, Hoyer said that the House was not advised of the specific techniques and that Leon Panetta, the director of the Intelligence Agency, could not speak truthfully because he was not present when the events happened. Additionally, Hoyer claimed that “Republicans and Democrats made it clear they wanted to have good relations with the CIA” but that they needed to keep updated.

Hoyer claimed the attacks made by Republicans on Pelosi are “a Republican tactic to distract the public from what was done” by the previous administration and as long as the story will make the headlines, the Republicans will not stop talking about the controversy.

Bringing an end to a tumultuous week of debates is necessary to tackle legislations that need to be dealt by Congress such as the Credit Card Bill, Energy or health care,Hoyer said. Congress started on a “very fast start”, he added, and it needs to continue in a fast pace in order to contend with the “substantial agenda” ahead.

Hoyer stated that the Democrats remain committed to economic recovery and responded passionately about how the Credit Cardholder’s Bill of Rights Act “will be on the floor” very soon, possibly before Memorial Day.