In a letter to President Obama, House Speaker John Boehner asked him to explain what it means to have greater "flexibility" on missile defense after the presidential election.
At a nuclear security summit in Seoul, South Korea, earlier this week, not knowing the microphone was on, Mr. Obama told outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to tell incoming president Vladimir Putin that he would have"more flexibility" after the presidential election.
The Republican presidential candidates quickly attacked the president for the remark. In an interview with CNN, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said, "This is without question our number one geopolitical foe, they fight every cause for the world's worst actors, the idea that he has some more flexibility in mind for Russia is very, very troubling indeed."
In his letter today, Boehner called the comments "troubling" and a "terrible signal" to the rest of the world worried about the proposed missile defense plan, which is primarily meant to shield the U.S. and allies from Iranian missiles. The Obama administration has modified the plan to accommodate some of Russia's concerns, but all issues have not been settled and the Russians want assurances that the missile defense shield would not be used against them.
Boehner initially defended the president, saying on Tuesday that people shouldn't be "critical of him or our country" while he's overseas. However, the speaker also said in the same remarks that he is concerned with "what the Russians are up to" over the last couple of years and is critical of the U.S.'s policy toward the former Cold-War foe.
In today's letter, Boehner took a much harsher tone.
"It is troubling that you would suggest to Russian leaders that their reckless ambition would be rewarded with greater 'flexibility' on our missile defense program after the upcoming election," Boehner wrote.
The letter also said the president's comments have "significant implications" and "sends a terrible signal to our allies around the world and calls into question the effectiveness of your 'reset' policy with the Russian government."
The speaker urged the president to "explain what greater 'flexibility' on missile defense you were suggesting Mr. Putin could expect in a second term."
"I request that you report on them and consult immediately with the congressional committees of jurisdiction," Boehner wrote.
Boehner calls on Obama to clarify "flexibility" comments on missile defense
/ CBS News
In a letter to President Obama, House Speaker John Boehner asked him to explain what it means to have greater "flexibility" on missile defense after the presidential election.
At a nuclear security summit in Seoul, South Korea, earlier this week, not knowing the microphone was on, Mr. Obama told outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to tell incoming president Vladimir Putin that he would have"more flexibility" after the presidential election.
The Republican presidential candidates quickly attacked the president for the remark. In an interview with CNN, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said, "This is without question our number one geopolitical foe, they fight every cause for the world's worst actors, the idea that he has some more flexibility in mind for Russia is very, very troubling indeed."
In his letter today, Boehner called the comments "troubling" and a "terrible signal" to the rest of the world worried about the proposed missile defense plan, which is primarily meant to shield the U.S. and allies from Iranian missiles. The Obama administration has modified the plan to accommodate some of Russia's concerns, but all issues have not been settled and the Russians want assurances that the missile defense shield would not be used against them.
Obama: I'm not "hiding the ball" on Russia
Boehner initially defended the president, saying on Tuesday that people shouldn't be "critical of him or our country" while he's overseas. However, the speaker also said in the same remarks that he is concerned with "what the Russians are up to" over the last couple of years and is critical of the U.S.'s policy toward the former Cold-War foe.
In today's letter, Boehner took a much harsher tone.
"It is troubling that you would suggest to Russian leaders that their reckless ambition would be rewarded with greater 'flexibility' on our missile defense program after the upcoming election," Boehner wrote.
The letter also said the president's comments have "significant implications" and "sends a terrible signal to our allies around the world and calls into question the effectiveness of your 'reset' policy with the Russian government."
The speaker urged the president to "explain what greater 'flexibility' on missile defense you were suggesting Mr. Putin could expect in a second term."
"I request that you report on them and consult immediately with the congressional committees of jurisdiction," Boehner wrote.