Sen. leading Katrina inquiry rejects subpoena against White House

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Sen. leading Katrina inquiry rejects subpoena against White House


WASHINGTON -- The Republican leading a Senate inquiry of the government's botched response to Hurricane Katrina denied a Democratic request Wednesday to subpoena the White House for information.

Even though she has criticized the Bush administration for stonewalling, Sen. Susan Collins said the administration generally has provided enough information for the investigation to draw conclusions about federal failures before and after the Aug. 29 storm.

Collins, who heads the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, also said a subpoena could hinder President Bush's ability to receive candid advice from aides. Such communication usually is covered by executive privilege.

In a letter Wednesday, Collins, R-Maine, reminded the committee's top Democrat, Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, that she issued five subpoenas to the Justice Department after its employees resisted being interviewed by Senate investigators.