Pelosi Deflects Questions About CIA Briefings

By: Jill Jackson
Topics: Congress

5033880House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was back on the who-knew-what-when hot seat today. Seven Democratic colleagues released a letter yesterday requesting that CIA Director Leon Panetta correct his May 15th statement that the CIA does not mislead Congress.

The members urged Panetta to make the change in light of a recent Intelligence briefing by Panetta where he told members that top CIA official had, in fact, concealed significant information from Congress from 2001 to last month.

It's been almost two months since Pelosi claimed the CIA lied to her about what interrogation methods they'd used on detainees. That accusation prompted Panetta's statement defending the agency.

Since then, the speaker has refused to take any more questions on the subject. While Pelosi took numerous questions today, she deflected most and left matters in the hands of the House Intelligence Committee.

"There is a briefing that is of serious concern to members of the committee," Pelosi said, "and they have their course of action to deal with it."

Pelosi said she expects the committee will pursue the issue.

Pelosi also responded to Republican criticism of her claim saying "our success is driving the Republicans to distraction. Any excuse will do."
House Minority Leader John Boehner wasn't buying that Panetta's statement had anything to do with interrogation briefings. He said that some people are trying to mix apples and oranges.

Boehner renewed his call today for Pelosi to either "put up the facts or retract her statement and apologize" to the intelligence committee.

Jill Jackson is a CBS News Capitol Hill producer.

Jill Jackson
Jill Jackson is a CBS News senior political producer.
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by thusspokezara July 9, 2009 9:14 PM EDT: We all know, as President Obama's former pastor mentor and father figure Reverend Wright reminded us, that the CIA was involved in developing the HIV virus and introducing it into the US population. If they could do such a low thing, is it too much to believe that it would lie to Congress? President Obama needs to close the CIA. He has enough intelligence as it is.; Reply to this comment


by tincup356 July 9, 2009 8:58 PM EDT: Why would anyone mislead congress,,,they would not mislead the people......they just flat out lie and ignore the people The downfall of this country is the doing of the self proclaimed best this country has to lead,,,,from BOTH parties,,,,they are nothing but white collar ,suit and tie terrorists in conspiracy with corporate America to destroy the middle class...the day will come that the people will have had enough,,,and revolt.; Reply to this comment

by speakinup22 July 9, 2009 8:49 PM EDT

If Pelosi were smart, she'd step up to the podium and answer all questions about this situation. It's going to follow her like stink on poop until she does.

But she would never resign for the good of the nation, would she.

Naaaaah - it takes someone with character to do that, and she's but liberal shell of a person. Do us all a favor, drop dead Nancy.

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by stn_sage July 9, 2009 10:03 PM EDT: Actually, I'd like to see her resign, too! But, at the very least, resign as leader, and head up a committee or two!

But, you're right about one thing! She no more likely to resign for the good of the nation, than her crooked Republicans counterparts!

by stn_sage July 9, 2009 8:31 PM EDT

This is MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING! It SHOULD be--- a non-issue!

Everyone knows that the Bush administration WAS the most secretive in American history!

Everyone knows that during his time, Congress often had to write letters, and pound on doors, and beg and plead to be included in, to receive knowledge of, WHAT was going on!

SO, when she says she wasn't informed until the last minute about it, and she has something else scheduled of critical importance, and she has to send an aid to cover it--- well, that's what happens!

BOTH parties do this to one another! It's chickens*h*i*t, and BOTH parties need to stop doing it, too!

Where Pelosi made her mistake IS--- she got defensive about it! Which made her look like she was hiding something! When she wasn't!

What she needs to do, is exactly what she did today, DROP IT! And, move on! But, I will say this, her actions on this matter, reflect poorly on her! Good leaders don't get caught up into things like THIS!

IF the Democrats were smart, she'd voluntarily step down, and they'd select a new leader! They are squandering a historic moment in this country's being, to leap ahead and get positive things done!

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by speakinup22 July 9, 2009 8:51 PM EDT: Sure - sure - you want to talk about BUSH who is NOT in office, but this topic is much ado about nothing!

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Typical narrow minded, two faced liberal.


by stn_sage July 9, 2009 9:57 PM EDT: To speakinup22:

NO! I want to put the situation in as accurate a context as is possible!
In order to explain and account for it! And, to assess IF any blame exists, and if so, who it belongs to!

And unfortunately, it happened under the FORMER administration, so they ARE very much a part of it, and CANNOT be over-looked or their actions 'swept under the rug' as they have SO many times before!

Thanks, for giving me the opportunity to point this out to you!

by Kintari July 9, 2009 7:55 PM EDT

Ms. Pelosi is in some hot water...they are circling the wagons...why not just produce the documents that prove the CIA misled Pelosi and be done with it?

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by speakinup22 July 9, 2009 8:52 PM EDT: yeah - that would be interesting.


by Questionews July 9, 2009 7:11 PM EDT: They have used the same picture of Pelosi in the last few Pelosi stories. Is it the only one they have? Not that any picture could make her look human, but geez, mix it up a bit. I like the one where she looks like her head is ready to explode like in the movie Scanners.; Reply to this comment

by wdh3007 July 9, 2009 7:10 PM EDT

"put up the facts or retract her statement and apologize to the intelligence committee" sounds about right. In 2010 everyone who considers themselves to be Americans should vote this warped frustrated old lunatic out of office she has abused her position as speaker long enough.

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by tincup356 July 9, 2009 9:07 PM EDT: In 2010 American voters need to remember what BOTH parties have done and NOT DONE for the American people,,,,,,Both parties take BILLIONS of dollars under the table in lobby money,,,,which ensures that "We the People" will never be represented. If America is to survive we must, 1. set term limits for congress,2. Completely outlaw ALL lobbying,and make laws to defend this with real teeth, such as ALL parties caught will have ALL assets seized,much like they do drug dealers,and tax cheats. 3. End America's wars on everything,,,,,they are all money wasting and failures.


by kidztested July 9, 2009 7:07 PM EDT: Pelosi gets re-elected even though the majority of Californians dont support her - maybe this is a relevant point for investigation rather than obfuscation. We can always poll the few that support her - why dont we talk and publicize the masses that object to her and her policies why not publicize the many platforms of citizens seeking her resignation. Maybe thats not politically expedient for the media - but it is the truth.; Reply to this comment

by saturn05 July 9, 2009 4:02 PM EDT

If I was Pelosi, I would demand an apology from all of the accusers who said they had proof she lied about her knowledge about waterboarding. Seems like the CIA is a big mountain of pooh. I want to hear apologies from all of the idiots in Congress and here on the sites who accussed Pelosi without any evidence. You are all a bunch of creeps.

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by Joe_NY_15 July 9, 2009 4:08 PM EDT: Nobody is apologizing for anything......Congress was definitely briefed by the CIA on the interrogation tactics.....Only a moron would accept Pelosi or Pennetta's word as fact


by velma179 July 9, 2009 5:07 PM EDT: Nobody has said Congress (or Speaker Pelosi, in particular) was NOT briefed on interrogation tactics.

There were briefings, something was said... the entire back and forth relates only to WHAT was said.

Since this is all within the realm of "classified information" ... we may never know the "who or what or why". We may never have the evidence needed to confirm Mr. Panetta's, Speaker Pelosi's or any other member of Congress' statements.

And Joe.... it is equally moronic to NOT accept someone's word as fact when, as a matter of law and procedure, the full story is not going to be made available for public scrutiny.

As for me -- while I do not want the CIA lying or misleading Congress, I am also fine with keeping some information confidential and known to the fewest number of people possible in order to maintain our national security.


by beaumuff July 9, 2009 2:53 PM EDT: I thought Queen Pelosi was busy getting more handouts ready for Obama to sign so she can get reelected?; Reply to this comment