According to The Hill newspaper, Freeman appeared as late as Tuesday morning before the Senate Intelligence Committee, just hours before he announced his withdrawal. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said that she had questions about Freeman and wanted to hear his answers before the Intelligence Committee. Sen. Kit Bond (Mo.), the Republican vice chairman of Intelligence, said Freeman agreed to appear before the committee "because we want to talk to him." The Hill said, "it was arranged that he join Blair for a previously scheduled meeting with the Intelligence panel. It is not clear whether Blair asked Freeman to join him or Freeman volunteered." Feinstein, who spoke privately with Blair, said that, when Freeman withdrew his name , Blair agreed with the decision.