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Cole Floor Speech on Comments Made by Leon Panetta

June 16, 2009
Speech

WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) made the following remarks on the House floor regarding the comments made by CIA Director Leon Panetta.

Mr. COLE: "Mr. Speaker, like many Americans, I cheered when CIA Director Leon Panetta recently defended the honor of his agency against unsubstantiated charges by the Speaker of the House that the CIA routinely lied to Americans and to the Congress of the United States.

Given those remarks, I was surprised to see his recent remarks about Vice President Cheney when he said, It's almost as if he wishes that this country would be attacked again in order to make his point.

Just as Mr. Panetta deserves an apology from the Speaker, Mr. Panetta owes one to the Vice President of the United States.

The Vice President was Vice President when this country was attacked. He and the President spent the next 7 1/2 years making sure it didn't happen again. They deserve our thanks and our appreciation, not cheap shots and not questions about their motives when they address the critical issues before our country."

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