House Democrats voted today to give their leaders the authority to force Karl Rove, and other key White House aides, to testify on the firings of U.S. attorneys. President Bush has said sworn testimony by his aides would breach executive privilege and vowed a legal fight if subpoenas are issued.
March 21, 2007 -- WASHINGTON (CNN) -- House Democrats voted Wednesday to give their leaders the authority to force White House officials to testify on the firings of U.S. attorneys.
The House Judiciary subcommittee vote was to authorize subpoenas. It does not mean that subpoenas will be issued; only that they could be if the four White House officials Democrats want to question do not voluntarily testify under oath.
But the act puts congressional Democrats on a collision course with President Bush. He said Tuesday that the four -- top political adviser Karl Rove, former White House counsel Harriet Miers, and their two deputies -- could be interviewed in the matter, but no oath could be administered and no transcript would be taken.
Rep. John Conyers, head of the House Judiciary Committee, said during Wednesday's debate that the committee needed more than a simple conversation with Rove, Miers and their deputies.
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