Reply #7: DeFazio chases secret terror-crisis plan

[OregonBlue]

DeFazio chases secret terror-crisis plan

Homeland security - After the White House denies access, the Web buzzes with conspiracy chatter
Saturday, July 28, 2007
JEFF KOSSEFF

The Oregonian Staff

WASHINGTON -- Peter DeFazio won't take no for an answer.
After conspiracy theorists fanned the Internet with their outrage, the Oregon congressman renewed his push Friday to gain access to the classified portion of a White House plan to operate the government after a terrorist attack.

This time, DeFazio is joined by two other Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee who wrote to a top Bush administration Homeland Security official requesting access to the information. The White House refused to provide it to DeFazio earlier this month, offering no explanation beyond national security concerns.

After The Oregonian reported the situation a week ago, the story spread rapidly across the Internet, linked from more than 250 blog postings and political Web sites.

"We can think of no basis for you to deny members of the Committee on Homeland Security the opportunity to review this document in a secure setting," states the letter signed by DeFazio; Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the committee; and Rep. Chris Carney, D-Pa., chairman of the Homeland Security oversight subcommittee.

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