Austin congressional leaders split on Hasan investigation

AUSTIN -- Two Austin congressmen disagree on the immediate need for a congressional investigation into last week's mass shooting at Ft. Hood.

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, told veterans gathered at a Veterans Day rally on the south steps of the State Capitol Wednesday, the he is standing by his controversial letter asking for the investigation into whether the Army missed key warning signs about the alleged gunman, Major Nadal Malik Hasan.

"For instance, we know that he was talking to an imam who had two (9/11) hijackers in his mosque," McCaul said. "We know al Qaeda does want to target military installations."

McCaul's letter was sent to U.S. Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., who chairs the House Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorist Assessment, to direct the committee to investigation whether Hasan was motivated by terrorist organizations including al Qaeda.

McCaul is the ranking Republican member of that committee.

"I think we jumped to the conclusion that this guy was a lone wolf, that he has no affiliations with any outside terrorist organization," McCaul said.

In addition to questioning whether or not Hasan had any sort of al Qaeda connection, Rep. McCaul's letter sites open-source information reported by the national news media.

"I wouldn't pre-judge any of the facts of this case based on what anybody says on cable television," said U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin.

A Congressional investigation which could take place out in the open might jeopardize the integrity of the on-going criminal investigation, Doggett said.

"There are some facts that might be disclosed that might affect the ability of the prosecution to move forward with the prosecution of their case."

Doggett also said federal investigators at any level must assure their inquiry does not become a "witch hunt," which discourages Muslim men and women from serving in the armed forces.