In the latest volley of a protracted battle over the Obamacare website, Republican Rep. Darrell Issa says Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius backed out of a date to discuss security issues,
The Hill reports.
"It's difficult to have a serious dialogue when the other party walks back an offer after we've said yes," a statement from Issa's House Oversight Committee said.
Issa had agreed to a meeting Tuesday, after revealing that documents from a contractor for the website showed federal
officials knew the site was "vulnerable" before its Oct. 1 launch.
The administration has balked at handing over sensitive data, fearing it will be leaked — and even
suggested Issa couldn't be trusted with the information.
Issa and Sebelius have been
feuding since October, when the lawmaker subpoenaed her for website-related documents, accusing the administration of "failure to provide answers" about what led to the botched launch of HealthCare.gov.
HHS official Jim Esquea wrote to Issa that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi also wants in on the briefing, and that HHS is now trying to work out a meeting between Republicans and Democrats, The Hill reports.
"In light of these requests and the seriousness of our concerns, we would like to work with majority and minority staff for the committee to schedule such a meeting with you" and other leaders, he wrote in the Wednesday letter.
Esquea emphasized there have been no serious attacks on the website; he said HHS could have cybersecurity experts brief the committee, The Hill reports.
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