Republicans just not that mad about AP phone records scandal

There is at least one area where Republican outrage is underwhelming

Published May 15, 2013 1:34PM (EDT)

Senate Republicans, definitely outraged about the attacks in Benghazi and the IRS's targeting of Tea Party groups, are just not feeling it when it comes to the Department of Justice's subpoena of Associated Press phone records.

“I don’t want to jump to judgment here because many of us did call on the administration to investigate leaks; I am struck by what appears to be a very broad net and not a very targeted look,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told reporters on Tuesday, Buzzfeed reports. “I think the best thing to do would be to have the attorney general come over and testify before the Judiciary Committee.”

“I can only speak for myself, but it strikes me this Justice Department inquiry will go forward and we’ll look forward to seeing what comes of it,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

"I want to see the details -- what was their rationale, why did they do it -- before offering an opinion," said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., according to the Huffington Post. "For me, to rush to a judgment without knowing all the facts is just not appropriate."

From the Huffington Post:

For their part, House Republican leaders haven't pounced on the issue, either. Neither House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) nor House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) has weighed in directly, though spokespeople for both have commented.

Even Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), who relentlessly pursued Holder amid the Fast and Furious investigation, called the Justice Department's move "obviously disturbing" but otherwise put the focus back on the other issues that Republicans plan to keep being outraged about.


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Associated Press Department Of Justice John Cornyn John Mccain Senate Republicans