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Bush Chief of Staff May Face Contempt Charge

House panel rejects privilege claim

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 20, 2007 6:23 AM CDT

(Newser) – White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten may face contempt charges over the administration's refusal  to turn over subpoenened documents. A House panel yesterday voted 7-3 to reject the White House contention that the documents—sought in the probe of the dismissals of US attorneys—are covered by executive privilege, Reuters reports.

"Those claims are not legally valid," said chairwoman Linda Sanchez. "It is better for them to co-operate than continue this confrontation." A White House spokesman responded that the committee is "less successful at getting facts than making headlines." The committee has also threatened contempt proceedings against White House counsel Harriet Miers.

President Bush, who turns 61-years-old Friday, right, walks with his Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten, left, from the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Friday, July 6, 2007, to the Main Residence before his departure to Camp David, Maryland. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Bush, who turns 61-years-old Friday, right, walks with his Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten, left, from the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Friday, July 6, 2007, to the Main Residence...   (Associated Press)
House Judiciary Committee member Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., questions Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, not shown,  during his testimony before the committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 10, 2007.  (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
House Judiciary Committee member Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., questions Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, not shown, during his testimony before the committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday,...   (Associated Press)
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