-Caveat Lector-
Begin forwarded message:
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: August 21, 2007 1:30:46 PM PDT
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Cheney: Congress "Not Allowed" To Issue Subpoenas
Cheney Told GOP-Led Congress
It Was ‘Not Allowed' To Issue Subpoenas
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/20/cheney-leahy-subpoena/
Today in a press briefing, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) revealed that
the White House had missed its 2:30 PM deadline to turn over
documents to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding legal
justifications for the National Security Agency’s eavesdropping
program. The Committee had already pushed back the original July 18
deadline twice after the White House requested more time.
Leahy said that the administration’s stonewalling amounted to
“contempt of the valid order of the Congress,” and pointed out that
these subpoenas were passed by broad bipartisan votes. In fact, the
Senate Judiciary Committee in the conservative-led 109th Congress,
chaired by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) also attempted to ask
questions about the program’s legal justifications.
But Vice President Cheney personally barred Spector from issuing
subpoenas:
In fact, we were about to issue subpoenas then and one of the
senators came to our meeting and said that the vice president had
met with the Republican senators and told them they were not
allowed to issue subpoenas.
Not quite sure that’s my understanding of the separation of powers,
but it seemed to work at that time.
Leahy also said that while he didn’t receive the requested
documents, he did receive “a letter this morning from the Office of
the Vice President identifying some documents that would be
responsive to the committee’s subpoena.” In the letter, the
administration claims the Office of the Vice President is not part
of the Executive Office of the President.
Leahy responds, “Well, that’s wrong. … [O]h, incidentally, at least
this morning, as I left Vermont, I checked the White House Web
site. And even their own Web site, this morning, at least, says
that the Executive Office — that the vice president is part of the
Executive Office of the President.”
Transcript:
LEAHY: The administration’s failure to comply with the Judiciary
Committee’s subpoena for its legal analysis gives me as chairman
very, very little comfort.
I received a letter this morning from the Office of the Vice
President identifying some documents that would be responsive to
the committee’s subpoena.
Now, the acknowledgement of these documents is a good first step. I
don’t know why it’s taken so long, but it’s a good first step. And
it should be followed by the administration turning them over
which, of course, is what we requested in the subpoena.
I’ve worked in good faith with this administration. I first sought
this information voluntarily. I accommodated a request for time.
But when the request for more time was simply followed by delay
upon delay, we issued subpoenas in a bipartisan vote. And even
then, when the subpoenas weren’t followed through, we gave them
more time.
The time is up. The time is up. We’ve waited long enough.
Incidentally, in the administration’s response today, they claimed
the Office of the Vice President is not part of the Executive
Office of the President. So it’s some kind of fourth branch of
government.
Well, that’s wrong. Both the United States Code says it is part of
the president — oh, incidentally, at least this morning, as I left
Vermont, I checked the White House Web site. And even their own Web
site, this morning, at least, says that the Executive Office — that
the vice president is part of the Executive Office of the President.
+++++
QUESTION: What is your next step to ensure this? What’s your next
step?
LEAHY: Well, I had hoped that by now they would have answered. They
haven’t. When the Senate comes back in the session, I’ll bring it
up before the committee. I prefer cooperation to contempt. Right
now, there’s no question that they are in contempt of the valid
order of the Congress.
QUESTION: Is your impression they’re dragging their feet?
LEAHY: Well, you know, a lot of these questions were asked by the
former chairman a couple years ago, and we haven’t gotten an answer.
In fact, we were about to issue subpoenas then and one of the
senators came to our meeting and said that the vice president had
met with the Republican senators and told them they were not
allowed to issue subpoenas.
Not quite sure that’s my understanding of the separation of powers,
but it seemed to work at that time. Now have an issue. And
interestingly enough, I pointed out that every single one of these
subpoenas, they have been issued by a bipartisan vote. There have
been no close votes on them.
So I would hope they’d do it. And, if not, the full Judiciary
Committee will have to sit down and determine whether to seek
contempt from the full Senate.
--------------------
Comments »
Cut off their funding… recall their security details…
…Mobilize the militia…and if they won’t comply…
…attack the Executive Branch…
Comment by big papa — August 20, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
Talk is cheap charge and arrest them if necessary.
Comment by Krazny — August 20, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
Ok Leahy, it’s time to issue Inherent Contempt citations and have
the Sargent at Arms arrest the people resisting the subpoena and
hold them in the jail cell in the basement until such time as they
comply with the subpoena. Inherent Contempt is your only weapon
against the Bush Administration’s stonewalling and if you don’t use
it, you may as well just give up and go home.
Comment by bilbobaggins — August 20, 2007 @ 4:17 pm
They forget. They were not elected to win a popularity contest,
they were elected to PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION!
Comment by raynman — August 20, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
No doubt my friend. The Dems act like doing there damn job is
“rocking the boat” or “being too partisan”. I think every member of
Congress should lose their job in 08. Pelosi/Reid/Leahy by their
own inaction are as bad as the Bush bootlickers.
Comment by buzzbomb — August 20, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
Write Leahy and tell him what you think:
http://leahy.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Burlington, VT 05401
Comment by bilbobaggins — August 20, 2007 @ 4:26 pm
This is beyond tiresome.
I’m becoming so irritated at the state of the union, that I am
lashing out at anything, and anybody, who drops the ball these
days. I feel powerless, and frustrated, and it’s seeping into my
daily life. I can no longer have a conversation with anyone who
voted for bush because I get pissed off at trying to explain their
blunder to them. The only thing that is going to shake this country
awake again is reinstating the draft. That would send all the
soccer moms SCREAMING to their congress people to throw these bums
out of office even if it means IMPEACHMENT.
When are the elected officials of congress gonna grow some balls
and hold these miscreants accountable ?
Comment by gallery — August 20, 2007 @ 4:27 pm
Screw the subpeona. Would someone please just kick Cheney in the
balls.
Comment by dim wit — August 20, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
Oh for the love of…
What is it going to take?
The VP is claiming dictatorial powers over CONGRESS. Congress who
represents the American people!!
For sh*t’s sake, Dems, DO SOMETHING!!
WILL YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS FOR CHRIST’S SAKE?!?!?
WTF?!?
Comment by Cobalt 90 — August 20, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
I’d like to see a list of Republicans on this committee. The one’s
Leahy is referring to.
Comment by hellinabucket — August 20, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
Here’s the list.
109th Judiciary Committee Members
Republicans
Arlen Specter (Pa.), Chairman
Orrin Hatch (Utah)
Charles Grassley (Iowa)
Jon Kyl (Ariz.)
Mike DeWine (Ohio)
Jeff Sessions (Ala.)
Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
John Cornyn (Texas)
Sam Brownback (Kan.)
Tom Coburn (Okla.)
Democrats
Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Ranking Member
Ted Kennedy (Mass.)
Joe Biden (Del.)
Herb Kohl (Wis.)
Dianne Feinstein (Calif.)
Russ Feingold (Wis.)
Chuck Schumer (N.Y.)
Richard Durbin (Ill.)
Comment by beachcomber — August 20, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
nothing will happen because democracy is dead in america. this is
all just for show…
Comment by Freakaloin — August 20, 2007 @ 4:37 pm
If democracy is dead I have the ammunition available to bring it
back to life…
Comment by BOBH — August 20, 2007 @ 4:38 pm
Come on, this is stupid. No wonder why the Democrats cannot
convinced the public that they have the balls to lead this country.
These are infantile tactics. If he is not part of the executive
branch, then he is part of the Congress and subject to its rules.
Go after both at the same time. When he refuses to immediately
comply, file contempt of congress charges as well as impeachment.
Make the fuc–g Republicans defend his double tracking. Hit the talk
shows, produce commercials ridiculing these tactics. FOR GOD’S
SAKE, DEMOCRATS DO NOT DESERVE TO LEAD IF THEY TOTALLY LACK
BACKBONE. YOU LOOK LIKE IDIOTS.
Comment by JMOHR — August 20, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com.
www.ctrl.org
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