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February 3, 2012

Holder Takes Heat from Congress for "Fast and Furious" Weapons Sting 
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U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder testified before Congress on Thursday
for the sixth time on the controversial gun-sting operation known as
"Fast and Furious." The operation saw U.S. agents encouraging the sale
of thousands of guns to middlemen for Mexican drug cartels in an attempt
to gain access to senior-level figures within Mexico’s criminal
organizations.

Eric Holder: "Now in some of my comments today if they sound familiar it
is because this marks the sixth time I've answered questions about this
operation before a congressional committee in the last year. Let me
start, however, with something that cannot be said enough: Allowing guns
to walk, whether in this administration or the prior one is wholly
unacceptable."

During Holder's appearance, House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell
Issa faulted him for the operation, which has been linked to the death
of U.S. border patrol agent Brian Terry. In response, Democratic Rep.
Elijah Cummings of Maryland defended Holder.

Darrell Issa: "This committee has lost its patience to wait longer. We
will not wait until next Groundhog Day to get answers for the American
people, for Brian Terry, and for others."

Elijah Cummings: "Mr. Chairman, although you deserve credit for exposing
these operations over the last five years, we part ways on what we
should do next. You now appear intent on escalating controversy and
promoting unsubstantiated allegations in a campaign that looks more like
an election year witch hunt than an even-handed investigation."



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