Posted on 11/21/2008 4:37:52 PM PST by Prunetacos
U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings Washington, D.C., office was shuttered in 2001 after anthrax spores were found, so hes very sensitive to the investigation into the crime, he said. Now, Cummings said he supports a review of the investigation. U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, D-N.J., proposed legislation in September to create a congressional commission to investigate the attacks and the federal governments response. Whatever we have to do to get to the bottom of this anthrax issue, we need to do it, Cummings said. Holts bipartisan commission would mirror the 9/11 commission and make recommendations on how to prevent such attacks and respond to future bioterrorism threats. Holt also has questioned the response. The tainted letters were mailed from his district.
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoreexaminer.com ...
The FBI named Bruce Ivins, a microbiologist at Fort Detrick in Frederick, the sole perpetrator of the 2001 attacks.
Ivins died of an apparent overdose in July.
But lawmakers and scientists alike have raised doubts about the FBIs conclusion.
Cummings said he didnt know if he agreed with FBIs conclusion.
I wonder about that. Thats all I can say, he said.
U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., also has raised concerns about the FBIs handling of the case and questioned FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III at a hearing in September.
Cardin was still reviewing Holts legislation this week and could not comment yet on whether he supports it, said spokeswoman Sue Walitsky.
U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., who represents Frederick, also has expressed skepticism, saying recently that the law enforcement activities resulted in Ivins suicide and damaged morale among Fort Detrick employees.
Congressman Bartlett has not been persuaded by the FBIs evidence presented to date, said spokeswoman Lisa Wright.
Bartlett also has shown interest in Holts measure, but wasnt sure Holt will reintroduce it in the next session, Wright said.
Holts spokesman Zach Goldberg said Holt does plan to reintroduce the measure.
Another commission? What duties would this commission have that aren’t covered by any of the other commissions? Maybe we need a commission to get to the bottom of the flu. Or how about a commission that oversees all the other commissions.
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