[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 38 (Wednesday, April 6, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H1823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SANDY BERGER AND THE ``SLOPPY SOCKS SCANDAL''

  (Mrs. BLACKBURN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, in July 2004, I addressed the Sandy 
Berger ``Sloppy Socks Scandal'' here on the floor. At that time, many 
of the liberals here in Washington said that the former Clinton 
national security aide had done nothing wrong, that he had not stolen 
Top Secret documents regarding the Clinton's administration terrorism 
policies.
  Well, today we know the truth. Sandy Berger did indeed steal and 
destroy Top Secret documents. In fact, it is such a clear case of theft 
and such a disturbing crime against this Nation that Mr. Berger has 
pled guilty to taking classified material. He has pled guilty to taking 
classified materials.
  The punishment does not fit the crime. I was stunned to learn that 
for stealing national secrets and for putting his own interests and 
that of the Clinton administration above America's war on terrorism, 
that he will simply have to pay a $10,000 fine and relinquish his 
security clearance for 3 years. This is outrageous.
  Those of us who are shocked by this outcome will be watching to be 
sure that no future Democratic administration ever gives Mr. Berger a 
job in the national security arena again.

                          ____________________