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Cheney Admits He Has Secret Wiretap Documents

But he'll resist Senate subpoena to see them

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 20, 2007 11:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – Vice President Dick Cheney will resist efforts by Congress to force him to produce dozens of documents relating to a warrantless wiretapping program conducted by the National Security Agency, the Washington Post reports. Cheney's counsel acknowledged for the first time yesterday that the vice president's office has documents relating to the controversial program.    

The Senate Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed them and other material relating to the controversial surveillance program that allowed the agency to monitor communication between the US and overseas without warrants. "I prefer cooperation to contempt," said committee chairman Patrick Leahy of Vermont. "Right now, there's no question that they are in contempt of the valid order of the Congress."

Senate Judiciary committee chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Monday, Aug. 20, 2007, relating to the subpoenas for documents relating to the authorization and legal justification for the Bush administration's warrentless wiretapping  programs. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Senate Judiciary committee chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Monday, Aug. 20, 2007, relating to the subpoenas for documents relating to the authorization...   (Associated Press)
Vice President Dick Cheney speaks to the annual conference of the Marine Corps League in Albuquerque, N.M, Monday, Aug. 6, 2007. (AP Photo/Toby Jorrin)
Vice President Dick Cheney speaks to the annual conference of the Marine Corps League in Albuquerque, N.M, Monday, Aug. 6, 2007. (AP Photo/Toby Jorrin)   (Associated Press)
Vice President Dick Cheney arrives at the Treasury Department in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Vice President Dick Cheney arrives at the Treasury Department in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)   (Associated Press)
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