[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 88 (Tuesday, June 12, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S3942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Unanimous Consent Request

  As in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the consideration of a resolution regarding the recent 
intelligence leaks, which means the appointment of a special counsel, 
which is at the desk. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be 
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. WYDEN. Reserving the right to object----
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I have served on the Intelligence Committee 
for 11 years now, and I have seen during that time plenty of leaks. I 
have tried with every bit of my energy to demonstrate how serious an 
issue this leaking matter is. In fact, I teamed up with Senator Bond--
our colleagues remember Senator Bond, of course--and I sponsored 
legislation to double--double--the criminal penalty for those who leak, 
for those who expose covert agents. So I don't take a back seat to 
anybody in terms of recognizing the seriousness of leaks and ensuring 
that they are dealt with in an extremely prompt and responsive fashion.
  What is at issue here is whether we are going to give an opportunity 
for U.S. attorneys--professionals in their fields--to handle this 
particular inquiry. I see no evidence that the way the U.S. attorneys 
are handling this investigation at this time is not with the highest 
standards of professionalism.
  I have disagreed with the Attorney General on plenty of issues. My 
colleagues know I have been particularly in disagreement with the 
Attorney General on this issue of secret law. I think there are real 
questions about whether laws that are written in the Congress are 
actually the laws that govern their interpretations. So I have 
disagreed with the Attorney General on plenty of matters. I think I 
have demonstrated by writing that law with Senator Bond that I want to 
be as tough as possible on leakers.
  But I would now have to object to the request from our colleague from 
Arizona simply because I believe it is premature. For that reason, Mr. 
President, I object to the request from the Senator from Arizona.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The Senator from Oklahoma.