(Washington, DC) - Congressman Herger (R-CA) issued the following statement regarding House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s accusation that the Central Intelligence Agency misled her during a 2002 briefing about the use of certain enhanced interrogation techniques on a high-value terrorist suspect.  CIA Director Leon Panetta responded to the accusation by stating firmly that Speaker Pelosi, in her then-position as Ranking Member of the Intelligence Committee, was “briefed truthfully” about the interrogation methods the agency had employed:

“Speaker Pelosi has spent the last several years attempting to use the controversy over enhanced interrogation techniques for political advantage, despite the fact that these methods brought forth vital information that saved American lives.  But recent reports indicate that she was among the first to know of them and did not voice a single objection.  After information was released showing that she attended a briefing where the use of these interrogation methods was indeed discussed, the Speaker has changed her story repeatedly, eventually accusing the CIA of a federal crime – lying to Congress – without providing any evidence.  I firmly believe that if she can not offer concrete evidence backing up her accusations, Speaker Pelosi should apologize to the men and women at the CIA for her unsubstantiated and firmly refuted accusation.”