GOP and Agencies Stonewalling On Resources Used To Track Democrats

HoustonChron -- Democrats accused Homeland Security on Tuesday of deliberately opening an investigation with the agency's inspector general's office in order to delay the release of taped conversations that would prove, one way or the other, whether Texas law enforcement officials had lied about the incident.

Lisa Redman, the assistant inspector general with the Homeland Security Department assigned to look into the matter, said the tapes will not be released for the time being.

"The glaring fact is that we have been denied this data," said Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, a member of the House committee with jurisdiction over Ridge's department. "It is shocking that federal resources might be utilized in this way, particularly when the department's chief responsibility is to secure the nation and our neighborhoods."

The nation's terrorist alert was elevated Tuesday to code orange, the second-highest in a five-color scheme. Jackson Lee said given the heightened alert, allegations that the Homeland Security Department's resources were diverted for such a "frivolous" and "reckless abuse of power" are even more frightening.