Lieberman may investigate Secret Service scandal

Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman is under pressure to hold a hearing on the scandal that has rocked the Secret Service this week.

But Lieberman, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, said Tuesday he didn’t know whether he wants to investigate allegations that 11 agents partied with prostitutes when they were preparing for President Obama’s trip to Colombia last week.

“My staff and I will continue to receive daily updates and gather facts before determining whether it is constructive for the Homeland Security Committee to conduct a public hearing on this matter,” Lieberman said in a statement.

The senator also said he spoke to Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan Tuesday about the scandal.

But several Republicans say the Senate should be involved.

The top Republican on the Homeland Security panel, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, said she is concerned national security may have  been threatened. She said the Columbian prostitutes could have been spies equipped with electronic listening gear and wants a thorough investigation.

Collins, who was briefed by Sullivan Monday night, said she was told 21 prostitutes were involved in the incident.

On Monday, Homeland Security Committee staff said the Senate Judiciary would likely handle the investigation, which is certain to be an embarrassment for the Obama administration.

But Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., has shown no interest in holding any hearings.

Both the Senate Judiciary Committee and Lieberman’s Homeland Security Committee have jurisdiction over the Secret Service.

There is no hesitancy in the Republican-led House to jump into the Secret Service scandal. Two House committees have already said they’d investigate the matt