Senate Emerges From Closed Session on Iraq

"WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats forced the Republican-controlled Senate into an unusual closed session Tuesday, questioning intelligence that President Bush used in the run-up to the war in Iraq and accusing Republicans of ignoring the issue.

``They have repeatedly chosen to protect the Republican administration rather than get to the bottom of what happened and why,'' Democratic leader Harry Reid said.

Taken by surprise, Republicans derided the move as a political stunt.

``The United States Senate has been hijacked by the Democratic leadership,'' said Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee. ``They have no convictions, they have no principles, they have no ideas,'' the Republican leader said.

Democrats sought assurances that Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts of Kansas would complete the second phase of an investigation of the administration's prewar intelligence.

After about two hours, senators returned to open session having appointed a six-member task force - three members from each party - to review the committee's progress and report back to their respective leaders by Nov. 14."
The Guardian