Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) says Major Nidal Hasan’s attack on Fort Hood Army Base earlier this month was the “most destructive terrorist attack on America since 2001.” (0:30)
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) says that, based on his understanding of the definition of terrorism, Major Nidal Hasan was committing a terrorist act when he went on a shooting spree at the Fort Hood Army Base earlier this month. (0:21)
By Meagan Wiseley – University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) Wednesday called the shootings carried out by Major Nidal Hasan at Fort Hood Army Base earlier this month the “most destructive terrorist attack on America since 2001.”
Lieberman said the Senate Homeland Security Committee will begin an investigation into the shootings to determine if they could have been avoided.
“We are interested in getting the facts and correcting the system so that our government can provide the best homeland security possible for the American people,” Lieberman said during an afternoon press conference, “At the completion of the investigation the committee will issue a report and recommendations.”
Lieberman said the investigation will focus on answering two specific questions: did the Federal Government know information concerning Major Hasan that could have prevented the attack on Fort Hood, and, how does this incident affect the government’s understanding and enforcement of “home grown Islamic terrorism” in the U.S.?
A Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on the Fort Hood attacks was initially scheduled for Wednesday, but has been postponed until the following day.
“Our hearing tomorrow will begin with a focus on what we know on the public record about the Fort Hood attack and Nidal Hasan,” Lieberman added.
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) says the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has a responsibility to determine if the Federal Government had information that could have prevented the shootings at Fort Hood. (0:22)
UN Correspondent Tala Dowlatshahi will be covering the launch of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) World Population Report 2009.
The Washington Bureau will be covering the following:
-The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee holds a hearing on “The Fort Hood Attack: A Preliminary Assessment.”
-Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) hold a news conference about the HSGAC hearing regarding the Ft. Hood attacks.
-Attorney General Eric Holder testifies before the Senate Judiciary.
-Senators Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Kit Bond (R-Mo.), Roberts (R-Kan.), and House members hold a news conference about a recent WTO ruling regarding aircraft subsidies.
-Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) host a members’ briefing on Cuba.
-The House Energy and Commerce Committee Health Subcommittee holds a hearing on H1N1 Preparedness.
-GOP House members hold a news conference about Gitmo.
-Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Michaud (D-Maine) hold a news conference about WTO and trade.
-GOP women hold a news conference about mammograms and health care.
-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Dr. Jill Biden, et al. hold a news conference about the USO Care Package event for women soldiers.
-The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee holds a full committee markup of the “Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009.”
House Intelligence Committee Ranking member Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.) says he wants a wide-ranging investigation involving Congress, the White House and the National Security Council to look into what happened at Fort Hood earlier this month.
Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) said Tuesday that the Fort Hood shooting fits the definition of terrorism and should thus be treated as a terrorist act. (0:23)
Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) said Tuesday that though he foresees some opposition from the Pentagon in passing a bill that would grant those killed and wounded in the Fort Hood shooting the same legal status as combatant casualties, he believes it will be popular among U.S. soldiers. (0:06)
By Leah Valencia, University of New Mexico- Talk Radio News Service
Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) introduced a bill Tuesday that would recognize the victims of the Fort Hood shooting as combat casualties and, if approved, could strengthen the argument that the incident should be considered a terrorist attack.
Carter, whose district includes the Fort Hood military base, said in a press conference that the bill would grant concessions for beneficiaries of all the military officers killed or wounded.
The status would also allow military victims to receive a Purple Heart and non-military victims to receive the Secretary of Defense Medal of Freedom, which is the civilian equivalent.
“They were basically taken out early in the combat,” Carter said. “As far as I’m concerned, this was an attack by an enemy upon American troops on American soil.”
Though Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who was charged on Thursday with killing 13 and wounding 29, has been rumored to have ties to a radical Muslim group in Yemen but many lawmakers have criticized the accusations, calling them premature.
“I think we should call things what they are,” Carter said. “I don’t think we should worry about hurting people’s feelings. No one is saying the term ‘terrorism’ has the word Muslim in it.”
Lawmakers say they do not expect much opposition to the bill since it’s main focus is helping the victims.
The Washington bureau will be covering:
- A joint discussion with the UN Correspondents Association and the American Moroccan Institute on “Women Leaders in the Arab World.”
- A pen and pad briefing with Senators Lamar Alexander and Jim Webb on bipartisanship in furthering national clean energy technology.
- A stakeout following Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George Casey Jr. and Secretary of the Army John McHugh’s testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on circumstances surrounding the Ft. Hood shootings.
- The Coalition for Religious Freedom’s news conference held to “condemn [the] Stupak-Pitts Amendment”
- A Natural Resources Defense Council discussion on “President Obama’s Trip to China and Climate Issues.”
- The American Enterprise Institute and National Chamber Foundation discussion on “Challenges to Creating 20 Million New Jobs.”
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discussion on “Restoring the Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
- A discussion hosted by the Center for American Progress on unifying diplomatic, development and military strategy under the Obama administration.
- and the AAAS and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research hosts a discussion on “Climate Change: Health and Policy Implications.”
