VOA标准英语2013--Washington Week: More US Government Probes Expected

 

Washington Week: More US Government Probes Expected

Just when it seemed investigations² of the Benghazi attack had run their course, ABC News said it obtained emails showing State Department editing of administration talking points to downplay terrorist involvement in the incident, in which four Americans were killed.

The revelation breathes new life into congressional probes, particularly in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. Congressman³ Darrell Issa said, “Our goal in this investigation¹ is to get answers.”

The White House has long denied intentionally⁴ misleading the American people about the September attack, which came at the height of President Barack Obama's re-election effort.  Spokesman Jay Carney said, “This [controversy] would be more significant if we did not acknowledge from the beginning that extremists were likely involved.  This is an effort to accuse the administration of hiding something that we did not hide.”

Lovers of Washington intrigue⁵ got a double-dose of titillating⁶ news Friday.  The federal tax-collecting agency, the IRS, admitted to subjecting Republican-affiliated Tea Party groups to heightened scrutiny⁷ last year.  

The Senate’s top Republican, Mitch McConnell, accused the IRS of “thuggish” tactics.  Democratic Senator Carl Levin has promised an investigation.  White House Spokesman Carney described IRS actions as “inappropriate”, but noted⁸ the IRS is a politically-independent agency.

Meanwhile, the ongoing⁹ crisis in Syria is expected to be a focus of discussions when President Obama meets this week with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 

1 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

2 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

3 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

4 intentionally   

ad.故意地，有意地

参考例句：

• I didn't say it intentionally. 我是无心说的。
• The local authority ruled that he had made himself intentionally homeless and was therefore not entitled to be rehoused. 当地政府裁定他是有意居无定所，因此没有资格再获得提供住房。

5 intrigue   

vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋

参考例句：

• Court officials will intrigue against the royal family.法院官员将密谋反对皇室。
• The royal palace was filled with intrigue.皇宫中充满了勾心斗角。

6 titillating   

adj.使人痒痒的； 使人激动的，令人兴奋的v.使觉得痒( titillate的现在分词 )；逗引；激发；使高兴

参考例句：

• Titillating the public now could help sales of Peptide 7 latet on. 现在刺激一下公众，对将来缩氨酸7号的销售可能还会有好处呢。 来自辞典例句

7 scrutiny   

n.详细检查，仔细观察

参考例句：

• His work looks all right,but it will not bear scrutiny.他的工作似乎很好，但是经不起仔细检查。
• Few wives in their forties can weather such a scrutiny.很少年过四十的妻子经得起这么仔细的观察。

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

9 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。