Conyers Responds to RNC on Subpoena, [View All]

Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and Commercial and Administrative Law (CAL) Subcommittee Chairwoman Linda Sánchez sent a letter to the White House notifying the administration that the CAL Subcommittee will meet on Thursday at 1 p.m. in 2141 Rayburn to consider the validity of the White House's executive privilege claims, as they did last week concerning Harriet Miers. Conyers sent a separate letter to the RNC regarding its outstanding subpoena.

The RNC sent a letter to Conyers today explaining that the White House is claiming executive privilege concerning documents in the RNC's possession and they are requesting more time to determine which specific documents to withhold. In his response, Conyers agreed to allow more time but made clear that it would not be proper for the RNC to withhold documents unilaterally based on White House objections and that he expects the RNC to provide a document specific privilege log of those items for any withheld documents.

“I am hopeful that even at this late date the White House will opt for the path of cooperation and negotiation rather than confrontation," Conyers said. "Whatever choice they make, we will pursue our duty to get to the truth in this matter.”

"This committee respects the importance of executive privilege as a safeguard for internal deliberations on the legitimate creation of policy, but it cannot be used as a blanket protection to avoid Congressional oversight as authorized by the Constitution," Sánchez added. "I am hopeful that the White House will move beyond its entrenched position to work with Congress on this important investigation."

http://judiciary.house.gov/newscenter.aspx?A=835