And Away We Go
Laurie Kellman, Associated Press:
The Senate Judiciary Committee subpoenaed the White House and Vice President Dick Cheney’s office Wednesday for documents relating to President Bush’s warrant-free eavesdropping program.
Also named in subpoenas signed by committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., were the Justice Department and the National Security Council.
The committee wants documents that might shed light on internal squabbles within the administration over the legality of the program, said a congressional official speaking on condition of anonymity because the subpoenas had not been made public.
My understanding is that the committee vote was 13-3, and that all ten Dems on the committee (Leahy, Kennedy, Biden, Kohl, DiFi, Russ, Schumer, Durbin, Cardin, Whitehouse) voted to issue the subpoenas, plus three Republicans. Hatch, Specter, and Grassley. Three Republicans must have voted no, and three more must not have voted.
The White House and the Cheney House will fight this. Could get interesting.
None of this is done with any urgency, so I find this to be just another yawner. Action, action, . . . these guys are all talk, no action. Wake me up if anything important happens before 09.
Comment by Bonnie — June 27, 2007 @ 8:31 pm
The thought of holding Cheney to account, or at least make him comply in the smallest matter is appealing, but I won’t hold my breath waiting for that day to come.
One good thing..Gonzales is still taking heat, and this subpeona business might generate enough negative press to make Gonzo spend more time with his family.
A ditto for Bonnie’’s comment above.
Comment by Swami — June 27, 2007 @ 9:33 pm
[…] This one’s causing quite a stir in the blogosphere… hand-picked from the MemeOrandum blog roundup: Comments From Left Field; The Carpetbagger Report; Crooks and Liars; Wonkette (adult language); The Raw Story; The Mahablog; skippy the bush kangaroo; at-Largely; […]
Pingback by Offices Of Dick Cheney And Alberto Gonzales Subpoenaed By Senate Over Warrantless Wiretapping Of U.S. Citizens — June 27, 2007 @ 11:44 pm
Interesting take on this on Countdown by law prof Turley. If Congress is pursuing a criminal probe, as most knowledgeable folks feel Bush broke the law in ordering NSA wiretaps, then previous court decisions are in Congress’ favor.
Comment by Chief — June 28, 2007 @ 6:56 am
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19480518/
Cheney to Congress…” I fart in your general direction” I guess Cheney is saying to Congress the same thing he said to Sen.Leahy, “Go &#!? yourself.”
Comment by Swami — June 28, 2007 @ 9:51 am
[…] Raw Story reports that this morning the White House asserted “executive privilege” and said it would not turn over documents related to the firings of federal attorneys. I believe we’re still waiting for a response to yesterday’s subpoenas regarding the warantless wiretap program. […]
Pingback by The Mahablog » The Devil and Dick Cheney — June 28, 2007 @ 11:18 am