by Mark Silva
As the House cleared out its chambers this evening for a "sweep'' by the Capitol Police to ensure that no listening devices were present for the closed session of the House tonight -- for a debate about the secret surveillance of suspected terrorists -- advocates invoked history.
The last secret session was called in 1983, on the support of Contras.
Before that:
-- December 27, 1825:
To receive a confidential message from the president regarding relations with Indian tribes.
-- May 27, 1830:
To receive a confidential message from the president on a bill regulating trade between the U.S. and Great Britain
-- June 20, 1979:
On the Panama Canal Act of 1979; implementing legislation
-- February 25, 1980:
To discuss Cuban and other Communist-bloc countries involvement in Nicaragua
And then July 19, 1983:
To discuss U.S. support for the Contras in Nicaragua.
The Congressional Research Service provided this history as the Capitol Police escorted members from the House floor tonight to "secure the chamber, and sweep the premises for listening devices and other possible breaches of security,'' as the office of House Republican Whip Roy Blunt, who sought the secret session, put it tonight.
"Once the House is fully cleared, members who have signed the oath of confidentiality -- (all but a handful have) -- will be recalled to the chamber, select staff with appropriate clearances will be administered an oath of secrecy, and an hour of debate will ensue,'' Blunt's office announced. "At the conclusion of that hour, the Secret Session will dissolve.''
Based on the history, this one better be good.
• 
• 
• 
Comments
The 'star chamber' convenes.
Posted by: C.Morris | March 13, 2008 9:47 PM
Maybe they're there to discuss where all the money from the National Republican Congressional Committee went.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/13/gop.probe/index.html
Never trust a Republican with money. It's a rule right up there with "Never fight a land war in Asia."
Posted by: Luke | March 13, 2008 10:30 PM
They're all in there listening to tapes of Obama's racist preacher ranting against America and white people.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | March 13, 2008 10:31 PM
The Dems are having a pillow fight to the sound of "video killed the radio star"
Posted by: JD | March 13, 2008 11:35 PM
I smell a coverup.
Posted by: Tom Colton | March 14, 2008 4:04 AM
And then July 19, 1983:
To discuss U.S. support for the Contras in Nicaragua.
And we all know how well that turned out...anyone remember some shredding being done in the basement?
Posted by: lochnessmonster | March 14, 2008 7:00 AM
They're all in there listening to tapes of Obama's racist preacher ranting against America and white people.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | March 13, 2008 10:31 PM
Paulo do you never tire of being LAME???
Posted by: paulo or paula | March 14, 2008 8:34 AM
Actually, the Republicans were begging the Democrats to be nice in the fall. So they don't lose any more than the 12 seats Charlie Cook says they will.
Posted by: BobHusseininATL | March 14, 2008 9:00 AM
They're listening to Hillary's proposal to invade Cuba and make her Queen when she loses the election. The idea was originally Bill's. He has a fascination with big Cuban cigars for some reason.
Posted by: reality | March 14, 2008 11:20 AM
Republicans are in a panic mode and hoping for another terrorist warning. the RNC has been taken for a ride and they are in terrible financial trouble.
Democrates are on the horizon - approval ratings for congress are about 15% thanks to gwb - the economy is in freefal= dollar is sinking, banks are failing.
Republicans are in real panic and probably called this secret session to scream at each other.
Posted by: cjr | March 14, 2008 1:55 PM
Republicans are in a panic mode and hoping for another terrorist warning. the RNC has been taken for a ride and they are in terrible financial trouble.
Democrates are on the horizon - approval ratings for congress are about 15% thanks to gwb - the economy is in freefal= dollar is sinking, banks are failing.
Republicans are in real panic and probably called this secret session to scream at each other.
Posted by: cjr | March 14, 2008 1:57 PM
follow the money on monday, politicians will profit from the move in the stock market.
The money center banks are collapsing, Citi, JPM, UBS.
derivative trades will have to unwind.
Posted by: Mike | March 15, 2008 4:36 PM
With George W. Bush, his corrupt Congress on both sides of the isle and a failed domestic and foreign policy, why would'nt the American electorate want a consumer protection hero and a statesman in the Executive Branch?
The silencing of poltical voice in America is evident all across the nation. Has your local newspaper printed any coverage of the Silver Springs Maryland WInter Soldier hearings? How about any coverage of the secret session of the House of Representatives last Thursday night? A session in which all Congressional representatives were asked to sigh a non-disclosure statement. Your Congressional representative is supposed to serve, proctect and defend the Constitution the United States. Is this the way it is done while the US military is occupying a foreign nation in support of an incredibel Iraqi Parliament? I think not.
Neither the Democrat or Republican candidates can achieve a reconciliation with the American electorate. Only a candidate willing to discuss the issue of George W. Bush, a corrupt Congress and Attorney General Office of the United States and illegal international aggression can change the course for American foreign policy and domestic policy. This Administration has waged economic warfare against the American electorate.
Posted by: witherspoon | March 17, 2008 8:13 PM
With George W. Bush, his corrupt Congress on both sides of the isle and a failed domestic and foreign policy, why would'nt the American electorate want a consumer protection hero and a statesman in the Executive Branch?
The silencing of poltical voice in America is evident all across the nation. Has your local newspaper printed any coverage of the Silver Springs Maryland WInter Soldier hearings? How about any coverage of the secret session of the House of Representatives last Thursday night? A session in which all Congressional representatives were asked to sigh a non-disclosure statement. Your Congressional representative is supposed to serve, proctect and defend the Constitution the United States. Is this the way it is done while the US military is occupying a foreign nation in support of an incredibel Iraqi Parliament? I think not.
Neither the Democrat or Republican candidates can achieve a reconciliation with the American electorate. Only a candidate willing to discuss the issue of George W. Bush, a corrupt Congress and Attorney General Office of the United States and illegal international aggression can change the course for American foreign policy and domestic policy. This Administration has waged economic warfare against the American electorate.
Posted by: witherspoon | March 17, 2008 8:14 PM