Report: Lawmaker Caught up in Spy Probe
It sounds more like a Washington thriller than a news report: an NSA probe catches a congresswoman scheming with a suspected Israeli spy, but she’s shielded from prosecution by the U.S. Attorney General, who says his administration "needs" her in place to defend the NSA’s warrantless wiretapping program. But that’s exactly what happened, according to sources interviewed by Congressional Quarterly’s Jeff Stein. In 2006, the NSA informed the Justice Department it had caught Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), then the ranking Democrat on the House intelligence committee, offering to lobby the Justice Department to soften espionage-related charges against two pro-Israel lobbyists in exchange for lobbying help to make her chair of the intelligence committee. Officials familiar with the matter told Stein the Feds had Harman spot on with the court-approved intelligence wiretap — but then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales stopped the probe, saying he "needed Jane" to keep support up for the Bush administration’s warrantless wiretapping program, which she had vocally defended in the past. Harman today denied the CQ report, saying it "recycles three year-old discredited reporting of largely unsourced material to manufacture a ‘scoop’. . .
"If there is anything about this story that should arouse concern, it is that the Bush Administration may have been engaged in electronic surveillance of members of the congressional Intelligence Committees," Harman said. Reports from 2006 about the investigation into Harman noted the probe was dropped “for lack of evidence.” But such claims are “bull****,” one source told CQ’s Stein. “I read those transcripts,” the former national security official said. This post has been updated.
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Just another corrupt day in DC!
Posted by: dl | April 20, 2009, 10:16 am 10:16 am
What a bunch of sludge in DC. Too bad we can’t clone Ron Paul.
Posted by: Huh | April 20, 2009, 11:02 am 11:02 am
I’m leaving this in the rumor pile for now. I firmly believe the Bush administration was the most inept in a generation, but I have trouble believing they would stoop to this borderline treasonous level. If there’s fire under the Rep Harman smoke, I would expect the new administration’s Justice Department would want to show a break from the past and no move on it. As the perfect storm story that both incriminates a Democratic Rep and the Republican administration, I’m concerned the media may be a bit too eager for it to be true.
Posted by: jhw539 | April 20, 2009, 11:31 am 11:31 am
This certainly explains why Pelosi did not make Harman the chair of the House Intelligence Committee after the Democrats took control of the House, and why she’s not on it at all today.
The only questions are, will she now be prosecuted and will she resign?
Posted by: Keith | April 20, 2009, 11:47 am 11:47 am
When I read the headline of this on the homepage, I said “must be a democrat”.
Turns out I was correct.
Interested in knowing why I made the statement? If it had been a republican, that would have been in the headline.
Posted by: Jane | April 20, 2009, 11:53 am 11:53 am
Obama: Change fools can believe in!
Posted by: dl | April 20, 2009, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm
She should resign IMMEDIATELY. Pelosi should remove her from her posts!
Posted by: scott jeffries | April 20, 2009, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm
This is unbelievable. Harman is spying for a foreign country, and she gets let off the hook??
Posted by: Why | April 20, 2009, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm
This woman needs to resign!
Posted by: rightbehind | April 20, 2009, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm
It’s amazing that bloggers are playing partisan politics but aren’t discussing the issue of negative influence by lobbyist (in this case the pro-israeli lobby).
Here’s a conspiracy theory: Doug Feith led the charge for the U.S. to invade Iraq to protect Israel from Sadam Hussein!! Don’t see him on trial!
Suspected Israeli spy is “loaded” language!! Where’s the beef!!
Posted by: DShirley | April 20, 2009, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm
Just shows that we haven’t had “Leaders” in Washington for decades! We just have corrupt, self-serving “Politicians” who wouldn’t know Ethics or Morality if they came up and kicked them in the hindquarters. Of course, hindquarters is an excellent term for those who loudly proclaim to represent us.
Posted by: o_day_terrence | April 20, 2009, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm
As a dyed-in-the-wool Progressive Democrat, I say… “bye, bye Jane.” If this woman doesn’t resign by tomorrow, she will be a national disgrace. I’m not sure if her crimes rise to the level of treason, but she is an embarrassment to this nation. She should never be allowed to hold public office again.
Posted by: ElodieStClair | April 20, 2009, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm
Folks, this is business as usual in Washington. When you reach the status in your own mind of ‘above the law’ You get an inflated opinion of yourself and think you can do no wrong. Do you honestly think this is rare in our nations capital? Would you like fries with that to help you swallow the koolaide?
Posted by: James France | April 20, 2009, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm
A crook is a crook. Lady you belong in pin-stripes.
Posted by: OnTheGloryRoad | April 20, 2009, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm
Another Democrat, another scandal. So much for Queen Nancy’s “most ethical congress” ever.
Posted by: BlameAmericaLast | April 20, 2009, 6:48 pm 6:48 pm
What do you expect? It’s a democrat!
Posted by: irishrose | April 20, 2009, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm
Of course she sheds blame on Bush. It has to be Bush’s fault she a slug.
Posted by: nospin | April 20, 2009, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm
Democrat! Culture of Treason!
Posted by: t hill | April 20, 2009, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
WOW !!!! Another crooked politician in DC
Is anyone surprised?
Posted by: CW | April 20, 2009, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm
This article, rumor or not, sure disturbs me, as it should for any United States’ citizen. We all hear stories about politicians not representing us as citizens. Here we have proof of this being true. While Harmon was not actually spying, she sure is guilty of actions that are beneficial to another country just to satify her own ambition in obtaining a prestigious position in our government. The shame is you can rest assured she is not the only one. There needs to be a definite political change in this country whereby the best person available should be elected to represent us and screw the political party system.
Posted by: Chuck | April 20, 2009, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm
Another Qui Pro Quo deal. It is no difference as pay-to-play. Are you surprised? And you can’t do anything about it …
Posted by: gpfgp49 | April 20, 2009, 7:18 pm 7:18 pm
Bush Administration may have been engaged in electronic surveillance of members of the congressional Intelligence Committees———–That would have been the right people to wire tap. All of them in Congress from Pelosi down. To heck with the CEOs, AIG etc… We should start at the source of all the problems and thats our greedy, dishonest representitives in Washington. I voted Obama and he promised to clean house. Well he may be cleaning some houses but he isnt cleaning his own. Pelosi puts her arm around him like his Mother. Dodd gets caught dead on lying and Obama deverts the anger towards AIG instead of calling the liar out and the Treasury dept for recommending the bonus legislation. I like Obama and like what he is doing on the international arena but he is definitly politician first and the country comes second. Still better than anything the Republicans were offering up and they have some crooks on that side of the isle as well.
Posted by: CAW | April 20, 2009, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm
Sounds like a cut and dry hanging offense if I’m reading the constitution right.
Posted by: Brad Harris | April 20, 2009, 7:39 pm 7:39 pm
not surprised its a democrat! they are kings of treachery!
Posted by: john | April 20, 2009, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm
Prosecute!!!!
Posted by: sisterdearest09 | April 20, 2009, 7:55 pm 7:55 pm
She needs to go to jail. And any more of this ilk – nothing partisan about it.
It’s time to clean the HOUSE.
Posted by: PSE | April 20, 2009, 8:01 pm 8:01 pm
Why aren’t congressional Republicans calling her out on this? Where is the integrity we should be getting from our elected leaders? I think we should hold every elected official to higher standards, and higher punishments, for their crimes against their own government and constituents. This attitude of “screw the people” instead of “serve the people” needs to be stopped. We need new policies on treason – this “new age” of politics is really old. It is called exploitation of the majority, to benefit the minority. I think that is where the American Revolution started.
Posted by: D. Myrick | April 20, 2009, 8:03 pm 8:03 pm
What a Democrat helping Israel? I thought all Democrats where terrorist lovers and secret Muslims? BlameAmericalast; irishrose;t hill;john;
Jane, et al.are you anti-american, why do you heat America’s best freind in the middle east; are you anti-semitic?
Posted by: vic | April 20, 2009, 8:20 pm 8:20 pm
This is just another example of a two party system gone awry…both sides of the aisle are in on this one. We are fools for believing one better than the other, and for voting along party lines, while the DEMs and GOP reap the spoils. The reason no one calls her out is because people from both parties stand to lose. Disgraceful.
Posted by: in Miami | April 20, 2009, 8:25 pm 8:25 pm
vic, so everything Israel does is above reproach? do you hold the same kind of opinion on Colombia, our best ally in Latin America? Not agreeing with a country’s actions does not make one a hater of any religion, unless of course you dont believe in the freedom of religion of Israel’s Muslims and Christians.
Posted by: in Miami | April 20, 2009, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm
Politicians sell out America to Israel everyday. It should also count for something that Harman is Jewish. makes you wonder where her loyalties lie.
Posted by: hello | April 20, 2009, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm
In Miami: Good call bro. Don’t pay attention to Vic. He is a classic case of an Isreali sympathyzer who seeks to silent or demonize those who disagree with Isreal’s policies.
Posted by: rainy day | April 20, 2009, 8:32 pm 8:32 pm
CAUGHT IN BED, SCREWING WITH MOSSAD… A MOSSAD MOLE IN THE US CONGRESS.
SHE SHOULD RESIGN. NOW, AND OR BE PROSECUTED. FOR SUBVERTING JUSTICE IN THE FEDERAL COURTS
AT THE SAME TIME, BUSH, CHENEY, GONZALES AND ROVE SHOULD ALL BE PROSECUTED FOR THEIR ROLE IN BLACKMAILING A PUBLIC OFFICIAL TO SELL OUT OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO BUSH AND CHENEY….
PUT THE WHOLE LOT OF THEM IN THE SAME FEDERAL PEN.
BETTER YET STICK EM ALL IN ABU GRAIB UNDER RENDITION AND WATERBOARD EM 500 TIMES A MONTH TO GET A CONFESSION, AFTER ALL, AS BUSH AND CHENY SAID… ‘IT’S NOT TORTURE.’
LMAO.
Posted by: CHUCK | April 20, 2009, 8:37 pm 8:37 pm
I sure expected the anti-democratic hype, and a little surprised that someone could use this as a swipe at Obama, but where is the shock that the leading law enforcement position in this country (the Atorney General) knew and covered up this treason.
What this does prove is that there are politicians that get elected by one party but support the other party. The spying on American citizens was a Bush mode of operation, and anyone one who supported this crime was not a democrat but a Bushy
Posted by: vissionquest | April 20, 2009, 8:56 pm 8:56 pm
Alberto Gonzales, king of corruption, and Rep. Harman, Israel loyalists. What a pair.
Posted by: Jerry | April 20, 2009, 8:58 pm 8:58 pm
Of course the fact that this is a
Democrat leads me to believe she will
be given a pass on this. You know,
just a misunderstanding.
Posted by: wis134 | April 20, 2009, 9:04 pm 9:04 pm
Amazing how ABC wiil anounce a REP, but not a DEM…. What a bunch of LOSERS at ABC..
Posted by: Lumberman_63 | April 20, 2009, 9:07 pm 9:07 pm
Another self-serving politician in DC. Hopefully, her political career has ended for this outrage.
Posted by: Joe C. | April 20, 2009, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm
Let’s see if the justice department prosecutes or lets this slide.
Posted by: jim 234 | April 20, 2009, 9:33 pm 9:33 pm
These Democrats in the clown’s administration just keep looking better and better, don’t they? And of course he is probably 100% confident in her, like he has been with all the other smucks in his administration who have been caught.
Change, my foot. His slogan should have been, “Corruption you can believe in.”
Posted by: JustMe | April 20, 2009, 9:37 pm 9:37 pm
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Posted by: Diva314 | April 20, 2009, 9:55 pm 9:55 pm
If there is anything about this story that should arouse concern, it is that the Bush Administration may have been engaged in electronic surveillance of members of the congressional Intelligence Committees,” Harman said. No, it’s that she’s a Dem and wasn’t prosecuted because Washington insiders knew a Dem would win the next election and did not want bad publicity. Now, the Dems knew this going in and still have not prosecuted her. Wonder why? If liberal ABC is reporting this, the evidence must be so outstanding that the best they could do is keep Dem out of the headline. If it was a Repub, you bet it would be there with the usual “It’s all Bush’s fault, blah, blah, blah!”
Posted by: Wayne Soehrmann | April 20, 2009, 10:06 pm 10:06 pm
Change, my foot. His slogan should have been, “Corruption you can believe in.”
Posted by: JustMe
******************************************
Gee this happened in 2006, was bush on another one
of his 24 vacations.The crap is still coming out on the repubican cover up of wiretaps
Posted by: spacerook1 | April 20, 2009, 10:23 pm 10:23 pm
I say boot this woman if she is guilty. I am sure President Obama will not think twice about removing her if she is found guilty.
Posted by: Hard Left | April 20, 2009, 10:53 pm 10:53 pm
So how long are Americans going to put up with the corruption in Washington? I say replace them all. We deserve a Government we can trust. A good start would be to add an additional box on each election – NONE OF THE ABOVE. This is the kind of stuff that happens when American voters are made to settle for the lessor of two evils.
Posted by: pumphouseplus | April 20, 2009, 10:56 pm 10:56 pm
This is a pretty serious allegation. Anyone who prints this better be prepared to back it up because it could (and should if true) ruin a career.
Posted by: MIguy | April 20, 2009, 10:57 pm 10:57 pm
This is change?
The pervasive and deep-rooted corruption in DC is on parade on a daily basis.
All incumbents out in 2010!
In the meantime, Frank, Dodd, and Harman need to be handcuffed and sent to prison for their crimes against the American people.
Posted by: Jenn | April 20, 2009, 11:41 pm 11:41 pm
*GASP* Not Really!!! You mean there are women in congress!?!
Posted by: DobermanSpencer | April 21, 2009, 7:18 am 7:18 am
Let’s see… when it comes to corrupt politicians, I think Chicago, NY, NJ and now, California. This woman needs help! At least, I like Governor Rod.
Posted by: Mihann | April 21, 2009, 8:48 am 8:48 am
Interesting the story wasn’t important enough to report outside of the ABC News
“blog.” I’m sure if it involved Muslims, you’d find the two minutes in your broadcast.
Posted by: MM | April 22, 2009, 9:56 am 9:56 am