Baldwin Supports Contempt Citations for Miers, Bolton

Press Release

Baldwin Supports Contempt Citations for Miers, Bolton

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin today voted with a majority (22-17) of the House Judiciary Committee to issue contempt citations for former White House Counsel Harriet Miers and White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten, following their refusal to comply with subpoenas issued in the U.S. Attorney investigation.

The contempt of Congress citations are being considered in response to Miers' and Bolten's failure to comply with subpoenas issued by the Committee for documents and testimony, including Miers' refusal to appear at her scheduled hearing on July 12. White House Counsel Fred Fielding alerted the Committee on June 28 that the White House would not provide the documents as required by the subpoena, asserting the President's executive privilege.

Congresswoman Baldwin issued the following statement:

"Harriet Miers was one of the most senior aides in the White House and is an attorney, well-versed in the law. She has every right to assert executive privilege when it is appropriate. Like any other citizen, though, she does not have the right to refuse to appear before Congress when subpoenaed, nor can she exert executive privilege when it is not justified. This show of contempt for Congress and the rule of law is yet another appalling example of the Administration's abuse of power.

It is the duty of the Congress - a co-equal branch of government - to serve as an effective check on possible abuses by the executive branch. In light of the actions of Ms. Miers and Mr. Bolton, I believe contempt citations are warranted."

Source