Bush won't supply subpoenaed documents

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Bush won't supply subpoenaed documents

By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent
2 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The White House, moving toward a constitutional
showdown with Congress, asserted executive privilege Thursday
and rejected lawmakers' demands for documents that could shed
light on the firings of federal prosecutors.

President Bush's attorney told Congress the White House would
not turn over subpoenaed documents for former presidential
counsel Harriet Miers and former political director Sara Taylor.

"With respect, it is with much regret that we are forced down
this unfortunate path which we sought to avoid by finding grounds
for mutual accommodation," White House counsel Fred Fielding said
in a letter to the chairmen of the House and Senate Judiciary
Committees. "We had hoped this matter could conclude with your
committees receiving information in lieu of having to invoke
executive privilege. Instead, we are at this conclusion."

Thursday was the deadline for surrendering the documents. The
White House also made clear that Miers and Taylor would not
testify next month, as directed by the subpoenas, which were
issued June 13. The stalemate could end up with House and Senate
contempt citations and a battle in federal court over separation
of powers.

-snip-

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