03.22.07
Whitehouse Votes to Authorize Subpoenas for Rove, Others in Probe of U.S. Attorney Firings
Washington, D.C. – U.S.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today voted to authorize the Senate
Judiciary Committee to issue subpoenas to compel Karl Rove and several other
Bush administration officials to testify on the controversial firings of eight
U.S. Attorneys late last year. Whitehouse, a former U.S. Attorney of Rhode
Island, sits on the Judiciary Committee and has been actively involved in the
Senate’s investigation of the firings.
“It’s important that America hear from these
people openly, publicly, and under oath; that they have the opportunity to
explain what transpired here and to make sure that we know the real reason these
U.S. Attorneys were purged. We’ve had private meetings before, and the answers
we’ve received simply haven’t been truthful,” Whitehouse said. “I hope the
President and his administration understand that we will continue to pursue this
issue and ensure that the impartial and independent administration of justice in
this country has not been irreparably harmed by this incident.”
In a voice vote, the Judiciary Committee was
authorized to issue subpoenas for Rove, former White House Counsel Harriet
Miers; former Chief of Staff to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Kyle Sampson;
Deputy White House Counsel William Kelley; and J. Scott Jennings, Deputy
Director of Political Affairs. The House Judiciary Committee took a similar
step yesterday. Committee chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and ranking
member Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) have asked Sampson to appear before the
committee voluntarily next week.
Earlier this week, Whitehouse voted to pass the
Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act of 2007 (S. 214), legislation
he cosponsored to close the loophole used by the Bush administration as part of
its efforts to fire the eight U.S. Attorneys.
###
Next Article Previous Article