Senator Dianne Feinstein Rips The CIA, Says It May Have Violated Constitution With Search Of Congress' Computers

Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said during a stunning speech the Senate floor Tuesday morning that the Central Intelligence Agency may have broken the law and violated the Constitution by searching a stand-alone computer network established for Congress.

Feinstein accused the CIA of searching the congressional network in January, during the Senate Intelligence Committee's ongoing investigation into the agency's detention and interrogation programs under President George W. Bush.

"I have grave concerns that the CIA search may well have violated the separation of powers principles," Feinstein said. She added that she was "not taking it lightly," insinuating it was an attempt at intimidation.

The CIA provided Congress with the computers as part of the investigation so the committee could review classified documents at CIA headquarters.

After her speech, Vermont Sen. Pat Leahy called it historic and one of the most important in Senate history.