General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Thank Representative Grand Theft Auto for the TPP Security--And Reid and Pelosi. [View all]joshcryer
(62,270 posts)It was posting that copy publicly that was the problem. Once he breached confidentiality, rather than putting Issa in chains, they just put a babysitter in the USTR office with the running drafts of the legislation.
The committee had no recourse as far as I can tell, since the congresspeople didn't get rid of the problem, namely: Issa. The committee saw that congress didn't care about leaks so it tightened up the ship. If Issa was arrested or at least reprimanded for his behavior (stripped of all committees, left out of discussions) then the committee at least might have gone on forward without taking strict measures. But Issa didn't even get a slap on the wrist, didn't even get chastised.
I actually feel sorry for the trade committee at this point, because they had little recourse. Only way they keep their negotiations private is to tighten up the ship. Congress, the House and Senate, are to blame for this. They let a potential felon get away with releasing confidential information.