Pelosi: Secret Service scandal "disgusting"
(CBS News) With the scandal involving at least 11 Secret Service personnel in the Colombian prostitution scandal continuing to unfold, members of Congress are not holding their tongues.
"It's actually disgusting," House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday.
Pelosi, who has not been briefed on the situation, called the incident "stunning."
"It's a stunning thing. It's actually disgusting. There has to be an investigation to see how this could have happened and those responsible should have to pay a price," Pelosi said.
Eleven Secret Service personnel and 10 members of the military are under investigation for involvement with up to 20 women, at least some of whom are believed to be prostitutes. An altercation over money led to the U.S. embassy being notified and the expulsion of 11 Secret Service personnel.
Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid did not mince words when asked about the situation, calling the agents' actions "either very stupid or a total lack of common sense."
"People that are here to protect the president, they go to Colombia and have a fight with a prostitute over how much she should be paid, I mean that's a little, that's either very stupid or a total lack of common sense," Reid said.
Reid said Congress did not necessarily have a role to play in addressing the matter, however.
"There is not a committee hearing that's gonna take the place or stop people from being stupid, there is not a bill we can pass to cause people to have common sense," he said.
Rep. Elijah Cummings, top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, agreed with Reid that Congress might not be able to add much.
"I think the secret service will be harder on themselves than the congress could ever be on them," Cummings told CBS News producer Jill Jackson.
Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions said the leadership breakdown starts with the president.
"I don't sense that this president is doing, is showing that kind of managerial leadership that at this point in history my view is one of the most important qualities in a president," Sessions said. He also referenced a misuse of taxpayers dollars for a General Services Administration conference and government support for bankrupt renewable energy company Solyndra.
"The president needs to assert discipline, management direction throughout the executive branch and presidents are to be held responsible," Sessions said.
Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan announced Wednesday that three agents, including two supervisors, are leaving the agency: One was forced to retire, one resigned and one was fired. Rep. Peter King, chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, told CBS News that he expects more Secret Service personnel to resign this week.
The Judiciary Committee will hear from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Wednesday. She heads the agency with oversight of the Secret Service and is likely to be questioned on the incident.