Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I am dismayed that the amendment I wished to offer to this bill has been ruled out of order by the Committee on Rules. By refusing to permit this amendment to even be debated, the House Republican leadership is dismissing the concerns of Americans, not only in my hometown, but in hometowns across America who believe that we should put all options on the table to fight violent gangs.

Gang violence and gang activities are just not limited to inner city areas. Today, we will find some of the most violent and well-organized youth gangs in our Nation's richest suburbs and areas right around here in Arlington and Fairfax County, two of the most affluent counties in the U.S. Local law enforcement officials are dealing with a host of gangs, and according to the FBI, northern Virginia is one of the hottest regions in the Nation for gang activities.

Despite the growing threat of organized gang violence to our national welfare, I know of no Federal Government report that contains a comprehensive listing and description of gangs, as well as an assessment of the demographic characteristics of those gangs that is prepared on an annual basis.

Madam Speaker, I believe that the report my legislation would have mandated could have been widely used by local, State and Federal law enforcement officials. It would be the first Federal report prepared on an annual basis to provide a comprehensive overview of gang activity in the United States. The report will also make available important information on gang activities in schools. It would have been an annual benchmark used by policy-makers, as well as Members of Congress to assess the success or failure of anti-gang activities.

I urge my colleagues to oppose the rule.

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, Cindy Sheehan and hundreds of thousands of opponents of the war in Iraq marched here in Washington, D.C. The massive outpouring of public demonstration against the war is reflected in national polls showing America's growing dissatisfaction with the President's Iraqi policy.

In the spring of 2003, the President pushed our Nation into a war in Iraq. The decision was not based on proven terrorist threat or WMDs, but President Bush's private agenda.

Two years ago, the American people had spent over $250 billion in Iraq. What do we have to show for it? Not much except for the growing insurgency, close to 2,000 American deaths, and untold innocent Iraqi lives.

Mr. Speaker, President Bush's adventure in Iraq has been an abysmal failure. People such as Cindy Sheehan, who have made a mother's ultimate sacrifice, are speaking out. The President will not listen, but it is time for Congress to sit up and listen.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite) in consideration of H.R. 3703, legislation naming a postal facility in Spring Hill, Florida, after Staff Sergeant Michael Schafer, a courageous soldier who was killed in Afghanistan.

This measure, which was introduced by the gentlewoman from Florida on September 8, 2005, and unanimously reported by the Committee on Government Reform on September 15, 2005, enjoys the support and cosponsorship of many Members, including the entire Florida delegation.

Staff Sergeant Michael Schafer grew up in Spring Hill and enlisted in the Army in 1998, serving tours of duty in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Sergeant Schafer was the team leader of the Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade.

On July 25, 2005, Staff Sergeant Schafer was killed in action while leading his team on patrol in Oruzgan, Afghanistan. Enemy combatants ambushed his squad and wounded him with a bullet. Before the second fatal shot was fired, Sergeant Schafer alerted his team to the imminent danger and ordered them to run. The Army awarded him both the Silver Star and the Purple Heart, recognizing that his last actions saved the lives of at least two of his soldiers at the sacrifice of his own life.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for seeking to honor the legacy of Staff Sergeant Michael Schafer whose loyalty to his company saved his soldiers' lives. I urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my colleague in support of naming a post office after Sergeant Shughart, and we join the entire Pennsylvania delegation in support of this measure.

Mr. Speaker, Sergeant First Class Randall D. Shughart was an exemplary member of America's Armed Forces who went above the call of duty to save his team member's life. I commend my colleague for sponsoring this measure, and I urge the swift passage of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Government Reform Committee, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 2062, legislation naming a postal facility in Newville, Pennsylvania, after the late Sergeant First Class Randall D. Shughart. This measure, which was introduced by Representative Bill Shuster (R-PA) on May 3, 2005, and unanimously reported by the Committee on Government Reform on September 15, 2005, enjoys the support and co-sponsorship of the entire Pennsylvania delegation.

Sergeant First Class Randall D. Shughart, born in Newville, Pennsylvania, served in the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia. On October 3, 1993, Shughart provided precision sniper fire from the lead helicopter at an assault on a building and at two Black Hawk helicopter crash sites. Sergeant Shughart and his team leader, Master Sergeant Gary Gordon, learned that ground forces weren't available to secure the crash site and protect four critically injured crew members. Shughart and his team leader unhesitatingly volunteered to be inserted for an on-the-ground rescue, well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the site.

After three requests, Shughart received permission to perform this volunteer mission. Once inserted, Sergeant Shughart and his team leader fought their way through intense enemy fire to reach the critically injured crew members. Shughart pulled the pilot and the other crew members from the aircraft and killed an undetermined number of attackers while protecting the downed crew. He continued his protective fire until his ammunition was depleted and he was fatally wounded. For his heroic actions, Sgt. First Class Shughart was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1994 by President Bill Clinton.

Mr. Speaker, designating the post office in Newville, Pennsylvania is an excellent way to honor the memory of Sergeant First Class Randall D. Shughart. Sergeant Shughart was an exemplary member of America's armed forces who went above the call of duty to save his team member's life.

I commend my colleague for sponsoring this measure and I urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 438, legislation naming a postal facility in Berkeley, California, after Maudelle Shirek. This measure was introduced by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) on February 1, 2005.

Maudelle Shirek, the granddaughter of slaves, was born in Jefferson, Arkansas, before moving to the Bay Area over 60 years ago. She became an activist and a community leader. Certainly emblematic of her community, Ms. Shirek has spent a lifetime fighting against injustice, poverty, and housing discrimination. She is now 94 years old.

In the 1960s and 1970s, she was active in the anti-war movement. She founded two senior centers, was one of the first elected officials to address the AIDS epidemic, and helped organize the ``Free Mandela Movement.''

A well-known and outspoken former member of the Berkeley City Council and former Berkeley vice mayor, Maudelle Shirek was instrumental in encouraging former Congressman Ron V. Dellums to enter politics and has served as a role model for many people in the community, especially the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Earlier this year the Young Adult Project 2005, Black History Month Celebration honored Maudelle Shirek's ``Life, Legacy and Service.''

Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) for seeking to honor her constituent in her community, a former member of the city council, in this manner and urge swift passage of this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al Green).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, October 1 will mark the 18th annual observation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic Violence Awareness Month has its genesis in 1981 when advocates for battered women across the country observed a day of unity in order to publicize domestic violence. Over the next 6 years, the day of unity evolved into a week of activities and in 1987 into Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In 1989, Congress recognized the tragedy of domestic violence in our country by passing commemorative legislation that honored victims of domestic violence and marked the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Congress has since passed similar legislation each year to bring added exposure to this issue.

In 1994, through the coordinated efforts of advocacy groups such as the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the California Alliance Against Domestic Violence, and the National Organization of Women, Congress passed the landmark Violence Against Women Act. President Clinton signed the VAWA to shine a bright light on an issue that had loomed in the shadows for far too long.

The act provided help to victims who seek justice within the legal system and a refuge from abusive and dangerous domestic situations. To victims of domestic violence and advocates fighting to educate the public, this was truly a momentous occasion; and in the decade that followed the signing of the bill, violence in American homes dropped significantly. Indeed, the rate of family violence fell from 5.4 victims to 2.1 victims per 1,000 United States residents age 12 or older from the year 1993 to 2002.

Since then, other entities of the Federal Government have lent their support. In October 2003, the U.S. Postal Service issued its Stop the Family Violence semi-postal stamp to raise funds for the Department of Health and Human Services' domestic violence programs. To date, the postal service has sold more than 30 million of these stamps and generated $1.8 million for domestic violence programs.

As more Americans become aware of domestic violence, they learn that such violence knows no bounds and affects all parts of society. No race, economic class, or education level is immune from this home-grown tragedy. However, communities of color and Native American communities remain at higher risks of domestic violence. They also have fewer services than other communities to deal with the violence and negative economic consequences that frequently result.

While great strides have been made, an intolerable level of domestic violence still exists in the United States. Indeed, in 2002, nearly one-quarter of all murders in the United States took place within a family setting.

In observing Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we must bear in mind the plight of hundreds of thousands of domestic violence victims and the work of those who continue to dedicate their energy and resources to eradicating domestic violence. As has occurred every year since 1989, I urge this body to pass this commemorative legislation and to mark the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Ms. Carson).

(Ms. CARSON asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) for her bill, H. Con. Res. 234, to require the President to immediately present a plan to eradicate poverty by 2010. Her resolution is indeed timely.

Hurricane Katrina has rubbed away the scar tissue from a festering national wound which is poverty and the growing economic divide that continues to afflict our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, only a few weeks ago, the U.S. Census Bureau released its annual report on poverty income and health insurance coverage. The report documents that poverty rose by 1.1 million people from 2003 to 2004. The number of Americans without health insurance also rose from 45 million in 2003 to 45.8 million in 2004. Shame.

The facts presented by the Census Bureau report are incontrovertible. Poverty is on the rise throughout the United States of America, and let me briefly cite a few other startling facts taken from the latest Census report.

In 2004, 37 million Americans lived in poverty, up by 5.4 million from the previous year.

More than one in six American children now lives in poverty.

The poverty rate for African Americans was 24.7 percent in 2004. The poverty rate for Hispanics stood at 21.9 percent for the same year.

The real income of American households declined in 2000 among all income groups.

In my home State of California, 13.2 percent of its residents, or 4.4 million people, currently live in poverty; and 18.5 percent of Californians, or 6.7 million people, do not have insurance coverage.

The U.S. Census report is not the only recent document that details the

growth of poverty in the United States. Today, President Bush addressed the opening of the United Nations World Summit on Poverty and Reform. Earlier this month, the U.N. released a shocking report on global inequality that is critical of American policies towards poverty abroad as well as here at home.

Among its many startling conclusions, the U.N. report reveals that infant mortality has been rising in the United States for the past 5 years and now is the same as Malaysia. America's African American children are twice as likely as whites to die before their first birthday.

The U.N. report also notes that although the U.S. leads the world in health care spending, this high level goes disproportionately to the care of wealthier Americans. It has not been targeted to eradicate health disparities based on race, wealth and the State of residence.

Countries that spend substantially less than the United States have, on average, a healthier population.

For a century in the U.S. there has been a sustained decline in the number of children who died before their first birthday. But since 2000 this trend has sadly been reversed.

The U.S. is the only wealthy country with no universal health insurance system. Shame on us.

The United States, along with Mexico, has the dubious distinction of seeing its child poverty rate increase to more than 20 percent.

The U.S. ranked 17 out of the 18 OECD countries in the highest level of human and income poverty. The only OECD country the U.S. is ranked ahead is the country of Italy. Even Ireland ranks higher.

Poverty is a systemic issue, and we need to move on it now.

Mr. Speaker, we got word today that there will be a bipartisan, bicameral investigation into what went wrong in the Federal Government's response to Hurricane Katrina. This is welcome news. A full investigation will help us understand, in detail, how we can improve our disaster response capabilities to prevent this sort of mishandling from ever happening again.

The problem is that an investigation will take months. Meanwhile, it is clear that the Federal Government still does not have its act together on this crisis; and in the meantime, people are dying.

Here are just a few of the recent foul-ups:

In the Gulf of Mexico, the USS Bataan, a Navy hospital ship, has been sitting in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Katrina hit. Yet the Bataan's hundreds of hospital beds are still going empty.

FEMA has requested hundreds of firefighters from around the country to rescue Katrina victims, but for 4 days they have been sitting idle in a hotel at the Atlanta airport and playing cards while studying FEMA history. Said one Pennsylvania firefighter, ``On the news every night you hear hurricane victims say, How come everybody forgot us? We didn't forget. We're stuck in Atlanta drinking beer.''

On Tuesday, FEMA asked the South Carolina Department of Public Health to scramble on only a half hour of notice to receive 180 injured evacuees from New Orleans. The South Carolina doctors then waited for hours for the evacuees to arrive in Charleston. It turns out that FEMA had sent the evacuees to the wrong Charleston: Charleston, West Virginia, instead of Charleston, South Carolina, where the doctors were waiting.

Now we hear that the director of FEMA, Michael Brown, waited hours after Katrina hit before submitting a plan to send FEMA personnel into action. This despite the fact that the President of the United States had declared a Federal emergency 2 days before Katrina hit.

Mr. Speaker, Republicans are eager to accuse anyone who questions the Federal Government's response of ``playing politics.'' But this is not about politics. This is about getting answers as to why our Federal Government cannot protect its citizens. We cannot sit still waiting for hearings when it is clear that Americans are suffering and dying while their government officials learn on the job.

Mr. Speaker, the Director of FEMA, Michael Brown, needs to go and to go now. This is not a political act; it is a humanitarian act. Who knows how

many Americans might still be alive if someone other than Mr. Brown was in charge of FEMA. Mr. Brown should get out of the way so someone with experience can come in and fix this whole thing; and if Mr. Brown does not come to his senses and step aside, the President should remove him immediately.

Some say that we cannot switch leaders in the midst of this relief effort because it would disrupt the efforts already under way. Mr. Speaker, I do not see how our worst enemies could disrupt our efforts much further. It seems the effort will be far more organized if someone other than Mr. Brown were in charge.

One more disturbing trend I have noticed is the effort of administration officials to shift the blame to State and local officials for this scale of disaster. This is unconscionable, and I do not think the American people will really swallow it. The President declared Katrina to be a Federal emergency 2 days before it hit. He claimed responsibility for the emergency response for the Federal Government. Now it is time for him to take responsibility for the Federal Government's colossal failure.

Mr. Speaker, yes, New Orleans is worth saving and rebuilding. It is one of the most American cities, for it represents how diversity comes together in harmony and blends into our music, our foods, our culture, and our Americanism.

Response to this disaster was a miserable failure. Americans died, Americans went hungry, Americans were living for days without water and without health services. You can live without food for 7 days, but you cannot live without water. Our health services were dysfunctional. We must admit, we failed at protecting our American citizens in our own homeland.

We as Congress must rise to the occasion. We have American citizens suffering and cannot get immediate help to them. Medics always take our wounded off the battlefields. Our social contract says trust us and we will deliver in your time of need. This is America's Gulf War.

One-half million people have been uprooted. Millions of people in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana, have been affected. 150,000 of the displaced live below the poverty line, and 50,000 of them are post-retirement age.

So what are we doing about it? What am I doing about it? I have called my State government, I have called my board of education, I have called my local representatives to ask them to do a displacement absorption plan; invite them to California, invite them to Los Angeles. Share your housing with a family. Share your schools, your colleges and your universities with those post-secondary students. Both public and private colleges must kick in.

We have started the New Orleans Hurricane Relief Fund. I am collecting money, along with several other organizations in the L.A. area and with one of our major radio stations, and we are having that money hand-carried into these disaster areas to the leadership that has been chosen to be responsible.

Mr. Speaker, there are so many things that we can do and we must do, and we must do them now. I do not want to watch television another evening and see people begging for food and water, begging for medicine, begging to be taken out of areas that are soaked with water that will be causing diseases, with an environment that is polluted from the smoke coming up from the buildings that are on fire.

Where are we when the world is watching? I am embarrassed for the U.N. to say we are going to help you, but I am overjoyed that other nations are addressing our needs when we are in need, as we have addressed theirs when they are in need.

So let us rise to the occasion. Let us save Americans. They are not refugees; they are citizens of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago, President Bush told the American people, if there were a leak out of my administration, I would want to know who it is. That was 2 years ago. It clearly was not a top priority, because if the President really wanted an answer to that question, he would have it by now.

When someone in the White House leaked Plame's identity, they compromised hundreds of intelligence investigations that are now taking place around the world; this at a time when our intelligence-gathering plays a critical component to our national security.

The outing of a CIA agent should be a concern to us all. The President's own father realized the serious implications of outing covert agents. He went as far as to call them almost actions that are treasonous. Now his son refuses to find out who leaked Valerie Plame's name.

President Bush can continue to state that he wants to wait for the grand jury to finish its investigation; but if this was indeed a top priority for the President, he would have an answer by now.

Mr. Speaker, today, a grand jury continues to investigate into the leaking of an undercover agent's identity. Thank goodness a grand jury is taking this case seriously, since it does not appear that either the White House or House Republicans are interested in finding out who is responsible for leaking Valerie Plame's identity.

Back in the 1990s, House Republicans loved ``Roving'' around in the White House's business. House Republicans took 140 hours of testimony to investigate whether the Clinton White House misused its holiday card database. They also once asked President Clinton to explain how the White House responded to letters sent to the President's cat, Socks.

But now that we have an issue that is clearly begging for congressional oversight, House Republicans have been silent. They have not sent a single letter to the White House demanding answers. They have not held congressional hearings to investigate the impact such a leak could have on our ability to gather intelligence.

The leaking of a CIA agent's identity is a serious breach of our national security, and something must be done about it.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I rise today in support of H.R. 22, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. I am extremely happy that after years of work, we are finally bringing this important bill to the floor for a vote.

In my congressional district alone, there are 66 postal facilities accounting for over 1,600 postal workers and $79 million in wages. The men and women of the United States Postal Service bind our Nation together, offering prompt and reliable services at uniform prices.

Many people do not realize the economic power this industry has. The postal industry accounts for over 8 percent of the gross national product, and it is the backbone of a $900 billion mailing industry that drives the U.S. economy. To maintain the current level of high-quality service, we must reform our postal system for the new information age.

The United States Postal Service is the world's most efficient postal system. While America is adding almost 2 million addresses per year, the number of postal employees have held steady, meaning that the same number of letter carriers are walking further, while delivering more mail.

This bill must be passed because it addresses many pressing issues, such as rate changes, the Postal Service Retirement System, escrow accounts, and military pension issues. This is the only Federal agency where funds in the civil retirement system have to be used to fulfill military obligations within the Department.

The bill also addresses the issue of the United States Postal Service overpayment of over $78 billion in civil service retirement benefits. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the escrow requirements will cost the United States Postal Service nearly $3 billion in 2006 and over $36 billion over the next 8 years. If the postal system is not fixed, our constituents will bear the cost.

This Nation is very fortunate to have a Postal Service system that handles such a large volume of mail while operating at affordable costs to our citizens.

Mr. Speaker, today Karl Rove continues to walk around the White House with the highest of security clearances. What does that say to our covert CIA agents risking their lives around the world? When Karl Rove became a top level White House employee, he took an oath to abide by the guidelines included in a briefing book called the Standard Form 3112. This form says, and I am quoting, ``Before confirming the accuracy of what appears in the public source, the signer of SF 312 must confirm, through an authorized official, that the information has, in fact, been declassified. If it has not, confirmation of its accuracy is also an unauthorized disclosure.''

Rove signed this form promising to abide by the rules. Clearly, he broke these rules when he told Reporter Matthew Cooper that Joseph Wilson's wife worked for the CIA.

Furthermore, he also broke the rule when he confirmed this same information for reporter Robert Novak. It is outrageous that Rove continues to have access to top secret information.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This amendment, which I am offering with the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), would confirm that it is the policy of the United States to bring Charles Taylor to justice.

Charles Taylor is one of the most notorious criminal thugs loose in the world today. He bears great personal responsibility for the series of wars that have wracked West Africa over the last 2 decades.

The Liberian civil war was noted for its barbarism, and Taylor was the most barbaric of the bunch. He was celebrated for his widespread use of child soldiers, which he organized into the so-called ``Small Boys Units.''

Taylor's efforts extended beyond the borders of Liberia. The Special Court for Sierra Leone has indicted Taylor on 17 counts of war crimes. According to the court, Taylor provided ``guidance and direction'' to a ``joint criminal enterprise which was to take any actions necessary to gain and exercise political power and control over the territory of Sierra Leone . . . ''

The court's indictment says Taylor and his cronies were responsible for ``unlawful killings, abductions, forced labor, physical and sexual violence, use of child soldiers, looting and burning of civilian structures.'' Taylor ``participated in this joint criminal enterprise as part of his continuing efforts to gain access to the mineral wealth of Sierra Leone and to destabilize the government of Sierra Leone.''.

Mr. Chairman, I include the full text of the court's indictment of Taylor in the Record:

The Special Court for Sierra Leone, Case No. SCSL-03-I, The Prosecutor Against Charles Ghankay Taylor Also Known as Charles Ghankay MacArthur

Dapkpana Taylor

indictment

The Prosecutor, Special Court for Sierra Leone, under

Article 15 of the Statute of the Special Court for Sierra

Leone (the Statute) charges: CHARLES GHANKAY TAYLOR also

known as (aka) CHARLES GHANKAY MACARTHUR DAPKPANA TAYLOR with

Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos).

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This amendment, which I am offering with the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), would authorize $5 million for the State Department to work to improve intellectual property law and enforcement in developing countries. Specifically, the Watson-Issa amendment would direct the funding to activities in countries that are not members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development under the auspices of the State Department's Economic Bureau. These funds could be used for a wide range of activities, including posting IP experts abroad to help train foreign officials and improve enforcement of intellectual property laws.

According to the recent figures from the International Intellectual Property Association, worldwide motion picture piracy losses for 2003 are estimated to be between $3 billion and $4 billion. More than 52 million illegal optical discs of MPAA member companies were seized worldwide during the same year, a result of 31,000 raids and more than 65,000 investigations. These numbers do not include the illegal file- sharing on the Internet.

Our government continues to work to secure legal protections for American-produced intellectual property.

We work with numerous countries to improve their legal codes and law enforcement training, to enforce intellectual property protections, but we also found that if the political will in foreign capitals to enforce these protections is lacking, all the training in the world will fail to reduce piracy and counterfeiting. For that reason, we must make sure that our State Department has adequate funding and tools to engage foreign governments and convince them of the need to enforce these laws.

I want to note that this sensible, bipartisan amendment has been adopted twice in the full House within the past 2 years. Unfortunately, the Senate never passed this authorization. So I look forward to having this amendment adopted once again as part of the foreign relations authorization bill.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos).

Mr. Speaker, Karl Rove needs to stop hiding behind his attorney and be straightforward with the American people about his involvement in the Valerie Plame scandal. Whether or not Karl Rove is the only administration official who leaked information to reporters remains to be seen. What is clear today is that Karl Rove has not been up-front with the American people. He has consistently denied any involvement in the case despite the revelation on Monday through his attorney that he did indeed tell a Time magazine reporter that Joseph Wilson's wife was a CIA agent. This is a serious breach of trust on Karl Rove's part. Truth and trust are devalued when this happens.

Larry Johnson, a former CIA operative who worked with Plame, explained how serious Rove's actions were, and I am quoting: ``The fact that she's been undercover for 3 decades and has been divulged is outrageous because she was put undercover for certain reasons. One, she works in an area where people she meets with overseas could be compromised.''

He needs to step down.