Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) blasted President Joe Biden on Sunday for stonewalling lawmakers about the extent of his classified documents scandal.
At the end of an interview on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” moderator Margaret Brennan asked Warner, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, whether the Biden administration has been forthcoming with details about Biden’s improper retention of classified documents.
But according to Warner, the White House is not being transparent.
“We need more information about these documents,” Warner said. “More importantly, we need to make sure that what the intel community has done to mitigate the harm. And we’re still in conversations with the Justice Department.
“The administration’s position does not pass the smell test,” Warner added.
The Virginia Democrat suggested lawmakers are prepared to use “additional tools” to compel Biden to give lawmakers the details they want about his scandal. One action Congress can take, Warner threatened, is to restrict spending.
“We’ve got some additional tools. We can restrict some of the spending. We’re in active conversations with the Justice Department. But we’ve got to get those documents,” the senator said.
Sen. Mark Warner on “Face the Nation,” March 26, 2023 | full interviewyoutu.be
A group of bipartisan lawmakers from the Senate and House received an intelligence briefing about the classified documents scandal last month. Lawmakers, however, were left with more questions than answers.
Not only can Congress restrict government spending if the Biden administration refuses to comply, but Warner has already threatened the controversial reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The program empowers the government to conduct sweeping warrantless surveillance on foreign persons, but it can sometimes sweep intelligence on Americans.
Outrage over government officials not acting in a transparent manner about the classified documents is one of the few issues generating bipartisan support in the halls of Congress these days.
At the conclusion of a recent Senate Intelligence Committee meeting, ranking member Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said, “A special counsel cannot have veto authority over Congress’ ability to do its job. This is going to be addressed one way or the other.”
“Amen,” Warner responded.
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