House Republicans: "Hoaaaa!" for F. Jim

This incredible report is from a Washington Post story:

One of the most contentious security issues is on the domestic front, the president's call for Congress to renew 15 provisions of the USA Patriot Act that are set to expire at the end of the year. A hearing on the Patriot Act last Friday ended in turmoil when Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (Wis.) became irritated by a stream of criticism of the administration and gaveled the session to an end.

Sensenbrenner, under heavy criticism from Democrats, acknowledged during a 16-minute defense on the floor starting at 9:10 p.m. that he had "adjourned the hearing in a manner inconsistent with the spirit of comity that has and should continue to inform committee deliberations." But he said he had "exercised great patience" in the hearing. Turning to the Democratic side, he said,"I will not be deterred by malicious attacks or minority obstructionism."

"This grossly unfair and distorted depiction of my conduct demands correction," he said. Republicans leapt to their feet and showered Sensenbrenner with applause and cheers of "Hoaaaa!"

Then Tom DeLay jumped in as a character witness:

Sensenbrenner was responding to a resolution of disapproval proposed by a committee Democrat, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.). The panel's ranking Democrat, Rep. John Conyers Jr. (Mich.), said he was stunned during the hearing by Sensenbrenner's "hostility" toward lawmakers and witnesses. "I've never, ever experienced a witness being stopped dead in mid-sentence," said Conyers, a 40-year congressman.

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) sat across the aisle from Sensenbrenner as he spoke and later issued a statement calling Sensenbrenner "well respected" and saying that his work on the Patriot Act has been "conducted in a fair, bipartisan, and comprehensive manner." Republicans killed Nadler's resolution.

Original Xoff post, one of many, on the subject.