Letter to Attorney General Holder

Letter

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder requesting any and all Justice Department documents pertaining to the Administration's military action in Libya. Specifically, Chairman Smith requested any materials that deal with the legal authority of the Administration's military action and whether the Administration was advised to consider seeking congressional authorization for such operations.

Chairman Smith requested the documents by no later than June 17, 2011. He also made clear that the House Judiciary Committee is "prepared to take whatever steps may be necessary to obtain the requested materials…"

Text of Chairman Smith's letter is below:

Dear Attorney General Holder,

As you are aware, on June 3, 2011, the House of Representatives passed H. Res. 292, directing the Executive Branch to transmit to the House certain information relating to the United States' use of military force in Libya. A copy of the resolution is attached for your convenience.

Pursuant to H. Res. 292, I write to request that the Department of Justice transmit to the House and its Committee on the Judiciary copies of any official document, record, memo, correspondence, or other communication in the possession of the Department that was created on or after February 15, 2011, and is responsive to H. Res. 292. This includes any materials that refer or relate to the War Powers Resolution and Operation Odyssey Dawn or Operation Unified Protector, and any materials on whether to seek authorization from Congress for such operations.

Consistent with House Rule X, the Judiciary Committee has a responsibility to conduct oversight of the Department as well as matters related to the Constitution. This includes the manner in which the Department and its components administer and execute laws and programs and otherwise perform their duties. I am hopeful that the Department will provide the House and the committee with any responsive materials in its possession no later than June 17, 2011. I want to be clear that this committee is prepared to take whatever steps may be necessary to obtain the requested materials consistent with the established will of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Sincerely,

Lamar Smith
Chairman

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