Dems block McCain resolution on special counsel for leaks

10:21 am in ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER, doj, Fast and Furious, Featured, Headlines, John McCain, special counsel, spotlight by becca.lower

(Photo: AP Photo)

Source: The Hill

By Daniel Strauss

Senate Democrats blocked a resolution introduced by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) calling for Attorney General Eric Holder to introduce an outside special counsel to investigate a number of recent military and intelligence leaks.

McCain introduced a resolution Tuesday expressing the Senate’s support for Holder to appoint a special prosecutor. But Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) objected after McCain asked for unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to consideration of his resolution.

“What is at issue here is whether or not we are going to give an opportunity for U.S. attorneys, professionals in their fields, to handle this particular inquiry,” Wyden said. “And I see no evidence, Mr. President, that the way U.S. attorneys are handling this investigation at this time is not with the highest standards of professionalism.”

McCain said that recent military and intelligence leaks warranted outside legal counsel to investigate the leaks.

“The damage to our national security has been articulated by many both in and outside the administration,” McCain said.

A week earlier, McCain had called for a special counsel to look into a number of leaks related to a report about an Obama administration “kill list” of terrorists as well as a story about a U.S. cyberattack against Iran. Democrats have so far refused to back McCain on the resolution.

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