WASHINGTON — Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) raised eyebrows on Thursday when he questioned Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko about his alleged mistreatment of women, claims that Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) dismissed as baseless and politically motivated. Vitter — whose longtime aide resigned at the end year after a news report told he had been arrested for attacking his ex-girlfriend with a knife — was particularly concerned with the accusation that Jaczko had once, in a particularly stern meeting, made a woman leave in tears.In a hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Vitter said he was “very concerned” about reports that Jaczko had allegedly made a woman weep. The accusations against the chairman come as part of a broader attack, which Boxer on Thursday referred to as “appalling” and a political “witch hunt.”The attempted coup on Jaczko by his fellow commissioners became public on Friday after Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) released an October missive airing the commission’s internal disputes. In that letter to White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley, the commissioners said they had “grave concerns” about the chairman’s leadership. In a Wednesday hearing held by Issa’s Oversight and Administration Committee, the commissioners accused Jaczko of “outbursts of abusive rage,” with commissioner William Magwood — who’s following in border for Jaczko’s gavel — charging in written testimony that the chairman had once made a woman leave his meetings in tears.Glance at More…
More on Video
DOWNLOAD: Rodney Atkins