Rep. Darrell Issa

Lawmaker Criticized for 9/11 Comments

Source: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j-7v1hEkqd4GAf2kvups02v7wLtwD8VQOSQ80

Lawmaker Criticized for 9/11 Comments

By ERICA WERNER

WASHINGTON (AP) — A conservative Republican congressman says he supports helping victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks but did not offer an apology for remarks he made while questioning the need for federal compensation.

Following criticism from fellow lawmakers and others, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., issued a statement Wednesday insisting he would "continue to support federal assistance for the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks," although he did not specify how that should be done. He opposed reopening a victims compensation fund that expired in 2003 after distributing about $7 billion.

On Thursday, after more negative reaction to his remarks, Issa's spokesman Frederick Hill said, "The congressman recognizes he could have chosen his words better at the hearing."

RSS