House Lawsuit against White House Expected This MonthAs expected, Attorney General Michael Mukasey gave the House the legal finger on Friday in response to a criminal referral for White House aides’ contempt of Congress. Think of that what you will, the House has been forced on to Plan B, a civil suit against the White House.
Roll Call (sub. req.) reports it should be coming soon:
House Democrats said a civil lawsuit could be filed as early as this month that challenges the Bush administration’s claims of executive privilege in curtailing aides from testifying on Capitol Hill….According to Democratic sources, staff is working expeditiously to finalize the lawsuit, which is expected to be filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before the House recesses for two weeks on March 14.
The general counsel, which will file the lawsuit on behalf of the House Judiciary Committee, is expected to urge the federal court to rule on the legitimacy of the Bush administration’s claims that executive privilege protects conversations between Miers and Bolten and the president. The court also could compel both individuals to testify before the House committee.