[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 41 (Monday, March 29, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H1597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR CONDOLEEZZA RICE SHOULD TESTIFY BEFORE THE 9/
                             11 COMMISSION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 20, 2004, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, National Security 
Advisor Condoleezza Rice should testify before the 9/11 Commission. She 
can no longer hide behind the right of executive privilege. Both she 
and the President should waive their rights to executive privilege in 
this case. The executive privilege can still be preserved for President 
Bush and for future presidents in other matters.
  There are few matters in our Nation's experience as sobering as the 
tragic terrorist attack of 9/11. It was the worst homeland attack on 
our security since Pearl Harbor, and we need a full accounting from the 
administration about what happened prior to 9/11.
  The National Security Advisor has tried to have it both ways. She has 
commented on the proceedings of the Commission to the press, she has 
questioned the evidence presented to the Commission, and challenged the 
integrity of the witnesses testifying under oath, but she refuses to 
testify in public under oath to the Commission and to the families 
about what she knew about the events leading up to 9/11, about our 
efforts to stop terrorism, about our efforts to protect our national 
security.
  The families and the Nation need to know and want to know what 
exactly happened prior to 9/11. We need Mrs. Rice's testimony under 
oath to reach a full accounting, especially since she is now from the 
sidelines publicly contradicting evidence and testimony presented to 
the Commission.
  If Condoleezza Rice has another version of the events and facts, she 
must come forward and present them to the Nation under oath. Congress, 
the families, and the public deserve no less.

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