The rumor is that Contempt citations were voted out of committee yesterday

[Toots]

in the Senate for Rove and I think Bolton and now will go in front of entire Senate for a vote. Can this be fillibustered? Does a simple majority vote send it to the Just Us Dept?

[hlthe2b]

1. Not a rumor... It was reported in the news.

[truth2power]

2. I heard on NPR this a.m. that

Dana Perino and/or Mukasey said the citations would not be enforced because (paraphrased) the parties were only following orders of the Prez, who claims executive privilege.

"Course, that puts the Boy King in the crosshairs, I guess.

I don't see how this is going anywhere. Input appreciated. :)

* * * *

edit> Here's a link: http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/12/13/white_house_contempt_citations_futile/4345

White House: Contempt citations futile

"WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Senate Democrats should know issuing contempt citations and pursuing a criminal case in the firings of U.S. attorneys is futile, the White House said."

"Dana Perino, White House press secretary, said Thursday the Senate Judiciary Committee's issuing contempt citations against former White House adviser Karl Rove and White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten is pointless because "the constitutional prerogative of the president would make it a futile effort for Congress to refer contempt citations to U.S. attorneys." "

[ThomWV]

4. When did Dana Perino get a seat on the Supreme Court?

That is who will decide if this can be enforced or not, not Dana Perino.

The real question is will it ever get out of the Senate? Now it has to to to the full Senate for a vote and Republicans will fight this one hard.

[truth2power]

6. Oh, right!...This SC

will decide in favor of enforcing contempt.

......when pigs fly.

[ThomWV]

7. Strangely enough this court might support a contempt charge

Historically they were not uncommon. This one might suprise you.

[truth2power]

10. I fervently hope so, but

what sort of time frame is involved in terms of when it could be heard?

Is there ay statute of limitations?

[ThomWV]

11. Some things can get before the Court in days. Remember Bush v. Gore?

[ellenfl]

16. i think dana was just alerting scotus on how to vote. eom

[Toots]

5. IMO the only recourse after such a statement is "Inherent Contempt"

If they don't follow up with such then it is very obvious they don't really wish to follow the Laws of the land and persue accountability..

[cali]

8. Inherent contempt has very little chance of getting anywhere near

enough votes. You do understand that it has to be voted on by the full house or senate just as regular contempt does, right?

[Toots]

13. As far as I am aware it only takes a Majority vote

The last I heard the Democrats are in the Majority in both House and Senate, or are you suggesting that Democrats won't vote for it?

[cali]

15. I'm suggesting that the pukes would filibuster it and

I'm suggesting they don't have enough of a majority to pass it in the Senate. It's 49-49 in the Senate with two independents organizing with the dems. Do you really think that LIEberman will vote for inherent contempt? C'mon. That means that it's 50/50. It really is basic math. As for the House, they can't get it passed either. There are far too many blue dogs.

[Bitwit1234]

9. Wait a minute...remember this

the reason they went ahead with the subpoenas is because bush said he did not have any thing to do with the firing of the attorneys. Now Waxman said publicly that bush was not responsible so the could go ahead with the action.

Now he can't have it both ways. He if he isn't responsible how can Poppers say that rove and bolton were carrying out the orders of the president. So what the hell is it...he is responsible or he is not responsible.

[babylonsister]

3. Sigh. I want to know, too. If they block this, we might as well annoint

the dim one. I don't understand why rethugs don't see their representatives are NOT working in their best interests.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. I Heard Today On Washington Journal

That it was a bipartisan vote. The only nays were R's, but some R's voted to issue them.

I think it can be fillibutered, and i also think it only requires a simple majority.
The Professor

[in_cog_ni_to]

14. Specter and Grassley voted with the Dems. The repukes must be up to something.

Two Republicans, Arlen Specter and Charles Grassley, joined the committee Democrats in the contempt vote. Today's action means contempt citations are now pending in both the House and Senate. The House Judiciary Committee has recommended finding Bolten and former counsel Harriet Miers in contempt.

If either the full House or Senate vote to cite Rove, Bolten, or Miers for contempt, that would send the question to the Justice Department and, ultimately, to court, beginning a process that would very likely take at least two years to resolve.

http://www.democracyforums.com/showthread.php?tid=9863

edited to add forgotten link