Remember the solemn pledge delivered by Democrats leading up to the mid-term elections to implement ALL of the recommendations of the 9/11 commission?
Democratic leaders have decided for now against implementing the one measure that would affect them most directly: a wholesale reorganization of Congress to improve oversight and funding of the nation’s intelligence agencies. Instead, Democratic leaders may create a panel to look at the issue and produce recommendations, according to congressional aides and lawmakers.
Because plans for implementing the commission’s recommendations are still fluid, Democratic officials would not speak for the record. But aides on the House and Senate appropriations, armed services and intelligence committees confirmed this week that a reorganization of Congress would not be part of the package of homeland-security changes up for passage in the “first 100 hours” of the Democratic Congress.
Members of the bipartisan commission aren’t happy.
“Of all our recommendations, strengthening congressional oversight may be among the most difficult and important,” the panel wrote. “So long as oversight is governed by current congressional rules and resolutions, we believe the American people will not get the security they want and need.”
To be fair, the Republicans didn’t want to enact this recommendation either. But Democrats made a point of pledging to enact all of the recommendations. Their refusal to do so means it’s politics as usual in Washington.