Alexander Threatens to Strip Funding From DOJ Task Forces
Senate GOP Conference Chairman Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) on Thursday pledged to squash funding for interrogation task forces within the Justice Department, charging that the agency was not forthcoming with details on a potential probe into the program.
During an Appropriations Committee markup of the $92 billion war supplemental bill, Alexander criticized Attorney General Eric Holder for failing to offer clear details on task forces dating back to the Clinton administration, when Holder served as deputy attorney general.
Alexander pressed Holder on the issue during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science last week.
Dissatisfied by Holder’s testimony on the matter, Alexander pledged he will introduce an amendment to the supplemental next week, according to a press release, that will strip $30 million in funding for the DOJ task forces.
“What precautions were taken to ensure that these renditions, or any interrogations of detainees on or behalf of the U.S. government, complied with the law?— Alexander asked. “I think we’re entitled to know what the scope of this review is before we spend the money.—