BuzzChatter Wednesday: Feinstein rips CIA for searching Senate committee’s computers
Here we go again;
• “I have received neither.” — California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat, saying she had sought an apology and an acknowledgment that the CIA’s search of the computers of the Senate Intelligence Committee was inappropriate.
Feinstein accused the CIA of violating the law and undermining the constitutional principle of congressional oversight. CIA Director John O. Brennan has said the agency did nothing wrong and would defer to a Justice Department investigation. Asked if he would resign if the CIA was found to be in the wrong, he said the president would make that call.• “It seems the president’s push to enroll young adults is far too little, too late.” — Brendan Buck, press secretary to House Speaker John Boehner, on the latest Obamacare enrollment numbers, which Buck said shows that too few young people are enrolling.
The latest figures show that about 25 percent of enrollees are in the 18-34 age bracket, which is considered crucial because younger folks tends to be healthier, and the premiums of those people are needed to offset the coverage of older Americans. Some estimates suggest the percentage of young people needs to be in the 38 percent range to make the program fiscally solvent.• “A very low return on investment.” —
the conclusion of a new state audit
on the Missouri low-income housing program.
The audit, by Tom Schweich’s office, found that the program has cost way more than originally projected — by a whopping $842 million — and tops all states in spending. Only about 42 cents of every dollar Missouri spends on the program actually goes into construction. Said Schweich: The program helps poor folks get housing, but could have been done far more efficiently.• “We used it in television ads and we used it in debates. It was at the top of the list of many things that helped.” — Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill
in her state in 2006 that helped her squeak past incumbent Republican Sen. Jim Talent that year.
The ballot issue that year on the minimum wage was put there mostly to drive turnout for McCaskill’s campaign against Talent, key Democrats are saying now. McCaskill said Talent’s votes against a minimum-wage increase only added some fuel to her effort. This year, minimum wage increases are on the ballot in at least seven states.This story was originally published March 12, 2014 at 5:00 AM with the headline "BuzzChatter Wednesday: Feinstein rips CIA for searching Senate committee’s computers."