That conversation, it turns out, was recorded by the National Security Agency sometime before the November 2006 election, and a copy of the call’s transcript was leaked to Congressional Quarterly. The timing of the conversation is key because it is alleged that Harman agreed to help two members of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the most powerful pro-Israel organization in Washington, DC, and in return an Israeli agent would pressure future House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to appoint Harman chairwoman of the House Intelligence Committee.

 

This is not the first time quid pro quo allegations have surfaced between Harman and pro-Israel lobbyists. In 2006 it was reported that the FBI was looking into rumors that Israeli advocates were trying to win the intelligence committee post for Harman, but that investigation was dropped due to a “lack of evidence.” In addition to the NSA transcript becoming known, it also has been leaked that the person who put the kibosh on the FBI probe was Alberto Gonzales, President George W. Bush’s top counsel and then attorney general. Sources told CQ that Gonzales wanted Harman to be able to help defend the administration’s warrantless wiretapping program, which was about to be exposed by the New York Times.

 

A spokesman for Harman said the allegations were “an outrageous and recycled canard, and have no basis in fact.”

 

Harman has benefited from the generosity of an organization connected to AIPAC, according to The Center for Public Integrity. It released a document showing the Democratic congresswomen went on a six-day “education mission” to Israel in January of 2001 at a cost of more than $5,200, which was paid for by the American Israel Education Foundation, which funds AIPAC’s publications.

 

As for the two AIPAC members accused of espionage, Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman were fired by their employer in March 2005 and subsequently indicted. They are charged with sharing sensitive information about Iran and Iraq, which was provided by U.S. policymakers, with colleagues, journalists and Israeli Embassy officials. The two men are set to go on trial in June.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Sources: Wiretap Recorded Rep. Harman Promising to Intervene for AIPAC (by Jeff Stein, CQ Politics)

Lawmaker Is Said to Have Agreed to Aid Lobbyists (by Neil A. Lewis And Mark Mazzetti, New York Times)

Harman’s AIPAC Ties Include 2001 Israel PowerTrip (by Josh Israel, Center for Public Integrity)

Rep. Harman Travel Disclosure Form for 2001 Trip to Israel (Center for Public Integrity) (PDF)

USA v. Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman (“The AIPAC Case”): Selected Case Files Federation of American Scientists)