Former Obama administration National Security Adviser Susan Rice on Wednesday declined a request to testify next week before a Senate subcommittee, citing separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches and the fact that the invitation was not bipartisan.
Rice’s decision to decline the invitation to testify on Russia’s election meddling came in a letter from her lawyer, Kathryn Ruemmler, to the leaders of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
The letter, first reported by CNN, notes that the invitation to testify came only from Graham and that Whitehouse “has informed us by letter that he did not agree to” the request, which Ruemmler calls “a significant departure from the bipartisan invitations extended to other witnesses.”
“Moreover,” Ruemmler writes, “Chairman Graham's invitation was extended only after the hearing was noticed, less than two weeks before the hearing was scheduled to occur, and without consultation with Ambassador Rice, a professional courtesy that would customarily be extended to any witness.”
One can hardly blame Susan Rice for not wanting to subject herself to the kind of harassment by the Republicans that she has been subjected to for years now.
After all she is no longer a part of the Obama Administration, and has already concluded her public service.
Of course as you might imagine this has really disappointed the Republicans who were looking forward to getting a few more shots at one of their favorite targets.
Rep. Trey Gowdy is even threatening to subpoena Rice if she will not come willingly, while Trump took to Twitter to bitch about it publicly.
Susan Rice, the former National Security Advisor to President Obama, is refusing to testify before a Senate Subcommittee next week on.....— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 4, 2017
Clearly the Republicans are going to attempt to obfuscate the evidence about Trump's collusion with the Russians by trying to make this all about the Obama Administration....allegations of unmasking Trump transition officials. Not good!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 4, 2017
Can't blame Susan Rice for not wanting to help them do that.
I thought Susan Rice's letter was brilliant. Good for her!
ReplyDeleteBeaglemom
All Democrats and Susan Rice need to stand together and flip their middle fingers to Trump and ALL Republicans in Congress. They truly are a deplorable bunch of jerks! I have no respect or support for any of them.
ReplyDeleteYou go girl, Susan Rice! The majority of Americans support your action of decline!
Their racism and misogyny is on full display. It always makes me sick how they treat Susan Rice.
ReplyDeleteAnd Trey Gowdy is a despicable human being.
Peckerwood Trey Gowdy
ReplyDeleteLisa Murkowski and the guy from Ohio (but actually elected in Alaska!) are going to lose their seats in Congress when they come up for reelection (both Republicans).
ReplyDeleteWatch Lisa especially, Alaskans! She always says one thing and votes exactly the opposite - as she did today in line w/Trump and most of her fellow Republicans!
She has never earned my respect and never will!
FB>Mark Trahant on the Impact of the just-passed AHCA on Indian Health:
Delete"But as I have been reporting: “The bill would still wipe out Medicaid as we know it. Medicaid represents 13 percent of the Indian Health Service budget (or $808 million).” Indian Country’s biggest concern right now ought to be Medicaid, Medicaid and Medicaid. There are now 30 million children covered by Medicaid; more than half of all Native children.
The last version of the bill sticks with its revision of Medicaid by capping the costs.
The crazy part of this equation is “why?” The Senate is not going to pass this bill. Several Republican Senators, including Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski, have said they support Medicaid as a state decision. This bill will, however, put House Republicans on the record. Alaska’s Rep. Don Young has been listed throughout this process as an undecided or a “lean no.” No other state will lose as much in this legislation as Alaska. So the choice will be a vote for the party or one for constituents."
As we know now, Don Young voted "YES"!
REMEMBER THIS IN RURAL ALASKA IN 2018!!!!!!
They're both senators and they always vote along party lines. Lisa's pretenses stopped being convincing about two terms ago.
DeleteWhat all those stupid older folks don't get (and yeah, that's a reference largely to the peeponders who all read here,) is that they may thinkthey are fine becuase Medicare!
DeleteWell doofuses, let's have a little soemthig called a reality check: Medicare only covers a certain amount of rehab services 100 days IIRC. Once the patient stops makign progress, as is the case with most of those in nurisng home or rehab care. NO MORE MEDICARE until hospice time or acute recurrences.
The "better" nursing homes are now $60k and up per year. So, either you have elder care insurance (most people don't) or you begin spend down. At $60K per year, your Social Security doesn't go too far, nor does retirement income, unless you are in the upper economic class. It doesn't take long to burn through any savings, even property you may have. And yes, if there is little likelihood of recovery, the house will be sold or forfeited as will all other assets. http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2015/04/14/some-dos-and-donts-of-a-medicaid-spend-down
This can get really tricky or stressful if your parents name is on your home or business, or their spouse's (IME).
If Medicaid is cut, where will those seniors who burn through assets go? Well son or daughter - it's your house (24/7 care of an Alzheimers patient or a non-ambulatory adult in diapers, with a feeding tube to care for, and maybe a respiratory condition thrown in. too.) What, you work? Too bad, so sad, then mom and dad will just head to the local, lowest rent facilty that MAY, have a Medicaid bed open. Good luck.
No, he wasn't recently - there were only 3 lean no's and I've regularly been checking as my congresscritter was one of 'em.
DeleteI love that photo of Susan Rice; a strong and confident woman.
ReplyDeleteJust what the GOP hates.
Team Susan Rice!
House barely passed their Death Panel unhealthy bill.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Darrell Issa held off as long as he could, hoping his vote wouldn't be needed but in the end he had to vote for it.
Issa is going down. He chose party over his own constituents. And they are going to make sure Applegate wins this time and Issa will be OUT.
The fact the bill will likely die in the Senate won't make any difference. Issa showed his colors (like we didn't know) and his vote will be remembered and held against him.
They're gloating at the Pond even though they've already been told by Virginia Girlyman that without Obamacare he'd have nothing.
DeleteMaybe I'll finally sign up for an account there to ask him if he's ready to die (along with his wife "the boss" as they likely won't be able to get the care they need.
DeleteSo Hillary creates a PAC.
ReplyDeletename it... and?? a political action committee. not a campaign committee. $rah Palin had a PAC for how many years has it been since she;s acutally doene anythign politically except spew gibberish and embarrASS herself with cheap, immature, inapproprate clothes and worse than word salad?
DeleteI'm not a fan of PAC's but I am also sure that Hillary Clinton will not use a PAC for self promotion and a replacement for family income the way that Sarah Palin did. If PAC's are legal, then we need some good liberal ones. I'm glad to see that Hillary Clinton is remaining active.
DeleteBeaglemom
When are you Alaskans finally going to vote out Don Young, who voted for Trumpcare today, which will harm the majority of the citizens of his state?
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming that erectile disfunction is a pre-existing condition, and, therefore, Mr. Young won't be covered. He voted against his own pocketbook.
Boner pills have always been covered.
DeleteBeing a woman, however, has always been a pre-existing condition.
Also being poor.
Being black.
You know the Republican drill.
Trump better be practicing for his impeachment hearings under oath. He sure is in a lot of bigly trouble. The lousy actor LIAR is a laughing stock of shit all over the world. What a disgrace. #notourpresident. #LIAR.
ReplyDeleteTrump we are going to expose EVERYTHING RELATING TO YOU. You are a complete deranged pathetic asshole along with your rapist friends and bullies.
ReplyDeleteIssa has a horrid reputation even outside of CA! It's about time the massive effort to NOT have him reelected is in place. It's way past time! The same is going down for Lisa Murkowski of Alaska! She's one of the worst in Congress!
ReplyDeleteRepublicans have proven themselves to be rabid liars and frauds - and, have fallen in line directly behind the fat ass of their king/dictator, Donald Trump! They ALL make me want to barf!
Dems getting butts kicked by GOP. Weak and castrated, were all along. Did not effectively defend Obama and Clinton when they had more fire power. I see 8 years of a beating here at least.
ReplyDeleteRebecca You're still ignorant.
DeleteRebecca appears to be a troll account - disregard.
ReplyDeleteSo tired of the Trump stunts. This health care legislation that was rammed through so his ego could claim a victory. I want to read it and then will Tweet and comment with my hair on fire.
ReplyDelete