Panel Calls for Contempt Action

The House Judiciary Committee has voted to hold former White House counsel Harriet Miers and former White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten (pictured right) in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify on the firing of U.S. attorneys. The measure will now move to the full House.

NPR:

House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday voted to issue contempt citations against two White House aides who refused to answer subpoenas for information on the firings of eight federal prosecutors.

The panel voted 22-17 to issue citations against Joshua Bolten, the White House chief of staff, and Harriet E. Miers, the former White House counsel. Both refused to comply with subpoenas during the committee’s investigation into whether politics was a factor in the firings.

The vote advances the issues to the full House and sets the stage for a constitutional showdown with the president. President Bush has maintained that Bolten and Miers were immune from subpoenas because their documents and testimony are protected by executive privilege.

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left: wonkette.com / right: thenextleft.com