SCHAKOWSKY REACTS TO WHITE HOUSE CAVING IN TO PUBLIC AND BI-PARTISAN PRESSURE FOLLOWING DECISION TO ALLOW NSA RICE TO TESTIFY BEFORE 9/11 COMMISSION

MARCH 30, 2004

SCHAKOWSKY REACTS TO WHITE HOUSE CAVING IN TO PUBLIC AND BI-PARTISAN PRESSURE FOLLOWING DECISION
TO ALLOW NSA RICE TO TESTIFY BEFORE 9/11 COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today issued the following statement after the White House caved to public pressure and bipartisan Congressional demands that National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice testify in public and under oath before the 9/11 Commission.

Below is Schakowsky's statement:

"This is a clear victory for the American people and the families of 9/11 victims who are demanding to know the truth and nothing but the truth from the Bush Administration.

"The 'sliming' campaign by the White House against Richard Clarke has failed and Dr. Rice is now forced to answer the serious allegations raised by the former Bush Administration Anti-Terrorism czar in public and under oath. This is a major concession by the Bush Administration that is stricken with a serious case of credibility gap.

"I am disappointed, however, that the Bush Administration is only allowing Dr. Rice to testify and no one else and that President Bush and Vice President Cheney will only appear in private before the 9/11 Commission. Why the limitations and the need for secrecy? What is the Administration hiding?

"The American people only seek the truth about the most painful day in our nation's recent history and they will not be satisfied until the Bush Administration fully cooperates in revealing the truth."