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House Holds 2 Bush Aides in Contempt

Dems vote against Bolten, Miers, while GOP walks out

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Feb 14, 2008 5:18 PM CST
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(Newser) – The House voted today to hold two Bush insiders guilty of contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate in last year's US attorneys scandal, the AP reports. Angry  Republicans boycotted the vote and walked out in protest. Democrats censured chief of staff Josh Bolten and former Bush counsel Harriet Miers for ignoring congressional subpoenas into whether prosecutors were fired for political reasons.

Republicans were incensed that House Democrats voted on the contempt charges instead of acting on soon-to-expire surveillance legislation. Democrats accused their rivals of fear-mongering in the ongoing partisan battle over executive privilege. "This is beyond arrogance," said Dem Nancy Pelosi. "This is hubris taken to the ultimate degree."

President Bush makes statement regarding the Protect America Act, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
President Bush makes statement regarding the "Protect America Act", Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)   (Associated Press)
President Bush walks back to the Oval Office from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, after speaking on the Protect America Act. Bush said he will delay his five-nation trip to Africa if necessary to help members of the House pass a bill...
President Bush walks back to the Oval Office from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, after speaking on the "Protect America Act". Bush said he will delay his five-nation...   (Associated Press)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. leads vote to hold ex-aides in contempt.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. leads vote to hold ex-aides in contempt.   (Associated Press)
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Dems criticize GOP for walking out
Wired

More on the surveillance measure
New York Times

 
Alberto Gonzales • Harriet Miers • House of Representatives • Josh Bolten • US attorney firings • contempt of congress • George W. Bush

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