Rep. Kelly Responds to Fast and Furious IG Report

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) issued the following statement in response to the report released today by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General on Operation Fast and Furious, which criticized senior DOJ officials, among others, for  disregarding the public’s safety and failing to recognize serious internal warnings regarding the fatally flawed gun-running program:

“The IG’s report confirms what we in Congress have suspected all along: the U.S. Department of Justice failed to take every measure possible to protect the American people from its ill-conceived and gross mishandling of Operation Fast and Furious. One great American patriot, Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, and numerous Mexican citizens lost their lives as a result of this fatally flawed gun-running program, and I’m grateful to the IG for uncovering the many missteps and miscalculations of the agencies and offices, including the Attorney General’s office, that are responsible for its failure.

“While I’m reassured that 14 individuals within the Justice Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and ATF have been implicated, two of whom retired or resigned today, there still are many unanswered questions and tens of thousands of documents that haven’t been turned over to Congress for its ongoing investigation.

“Knowing as we know today of the serious breach of the public trust and safety by this Administration in its handling of Operation Fast and Furious, we will continue our fight for greater transparency from Attorney General Holder and, ultimately, justice for Border Agent Terry, whose memory and murder will not be forgotten.”

Note

Rep. Kelly will participate in tomorrow’s hearing with DOJ Inspector General Horowitz, who will testify on the findings of his investigation before the Oversight Committee at 9:30 AM in 2157 Rayburn House Office building. 

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