Bush aides hit with contempt citations
Bush aides hit with contempt citations
By Edward Luce in Washington
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007
Published: July 25 2007 22:57 | Last updated: July 25 2007 22:57
Relations between George W. Bush and the Democratic-controlled Congress hit a new low on Wednesday when a House committee launched contempt proceedings against a senior and a former official in a move the White House promptly dismissed as “pathetic”.
The contempt citations, issued against Josh Bolten, the White House chief of staff, and Harriet Miers, Mr Bush’s former senior counsel, mark a significant escalation of a six- month tussle between the executive and legislative branches that could turn into a full-blown constitutional battle.
The decision to go ahead with contempt proceedings, approved by a 22-17 majority voting on party lines in the House judiciary committee, follows Mr Bush’s statement last week that he would not permit the justice department to prosecute administration officials.
Citing a robust interpretation of the doctrine of “executive privilege” – that officials should be free to give confidential counsel to the president – Mr Bush also rebutted subpoenas ordering officials to testify before lawmakers.
The controversy stems from the allegedly politically motivated justice department sacking of nine US state attorneys before and after last year’s mid-term congressional elections.
Tony Snow, the White House spokesman, said on Wednesday: “This is pathetic. What you have is partisanship on Capitol Hill that boils down to insults, insinuations, inquisitions and investigations, rather than the normal business of trying to pass legislation.”
Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives, said: “The contempt proceedings are part of a broader effort by House Democrats to restore our nation’s fundamental system of checks and balances.”
The justice department will almost certainly reject the House’s request to prosecute Ms Miers and Mr Bolten, which could entail a fine of up to $100,000 (£48,687) and a year in prison, after an expected House of Representatives vote to proceed with criminal proceedings in the next few days.
Constitutional experts say Congress will then be faced with a choice of appealing, or passing legislation that would enable the appointment of independent counsel to investigate instances where officials refuse to testify to Congress or commit perjury when they do so.
On Tuesday senators came close to accusing Alberto Gonzales, the embattled attorney-general and Bush loyalist, of perjury in the evasive testimony he gave over the sacking of the attorneys.
“There is no precedent for an administration to refuse its officials permission to testify to Congress; even Richard Nixon allowed it during the Watergate hearings,” said Bruce Fein, a senior counsel in the Reagan administration.
“If Congress is denied the ability to oversee the executive then it is impotent. It has no choice but to respond.”
By Edward Luce in Washington
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007
Published: July 25 2007 22:57 | Last updated: July 25 2007 22:57
Relations between George W. Bush and the Democratic-controlled Congress hit a new low on Wednesday when a House committee launched contempt proceedings against a senior and a former official in a move the White House promptly dismissed as “pathetic”.
The contempt citations, issued against Josh Bolten, the White House chief of staff, and Harriet Miers, Mr Bush’s former senior counsel, mark a significant escalation of a six- month tussle between the executive and legislative branches that could turn into a full-blown constitutional battle.
The decision to go ahead with contempt proceedings, approved by a 22-17 majority voting on party lines in the House judiciary committee, follows Mr Bush’s statement last week that he would not permit the justice department to prosecute administration officials.
Citing a robust interpretation of the doctrine of “executive privilege” – that officials should be free to give confidential counsel to the president – Mr Bush also rebutted subpoenas ordering officials to testify before lawmakers.
The controversy stems from the allegedly politically motivated justice department sacking of nine US state attorneys before and after last year’s mid-term congressional elections.
Tony Snow, the White House spokesman, said on Wednesday: “This is pathetic. What you have is partisanship on Capitol Hill that boils down to insults, insinuations, inquisitions and investigations, rather than the normal business of trying to pass legislation.”
Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives, said: “The contempt proceedings are part of a broader effort by House Democrats to restore our nation’s fundamental system of checks and balances.”
The justice department will almost certainly reject the House’s request to prosecute Ms Miers and Mr Bolten, which could entail a fine of up to $100,000 (£48,687) and a year in prison, after an expected House of Representatives vote to proceed with criminal proceedings in the next few days.
Constitutional experts say Congress will then be faced with a choice of appealing, or passing legislation that would enable the appointment of independent counsel to investigate instances where officials refuse to testify to Congress or commit perjury when they do so.
On Tuesday senators came close to accusing Alberto Gonzales, the embattled attorney-general and Bush loyalist, of perjury in the evasive testimony he gave over the sacking of the attorneys.
“There is no precedent for an administration to refuse its officials permission to testify to Congress; even Richard Nixon allowed it during the Watergate hearings,” said Bruce Fein, a senior counsel in the Reagan administration.
“If Congress is denied the ability to oversee the executive then it is impotent. It has no choice but to respond.”
posted by Carlos T Mock at 9:23 AM
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