WASHINGTON—U.S. lawmakers escalated their battle with the White House on Wednesday by recommending contempt citations against an aide and a former aide of President George W. Bush who refused to cooperate in a probe of the firing of federal prosecutors.
On a 22-17 party-line vote, the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee urged the full House to seek contempt charges against White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers for refusing to comply with subpoenas that demanded information about the dismissals.
If the full House approves contempt citations, the matter would be sent to the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia to pursue grand jury indictments. Contempt of Congress carries a penalty of up to $1,000 fine and one year in prison.
Unless a compromise is reached, a court fight seems certain over Bush's claim that his right of executive privilege permits him to withhold documents or testimony from current or former aides.
