Waxman Threatens Second Subpoena against EPA

[babylonsister]

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/03/waxman_threatens_second_subpoe.php

Waxman Threatens Second Subpoena against EPA
By Paul Kiel - March 11, 2008, 2:49PM


You know that EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson is no slouch at rebuffing Congressional inquiries. He's never met a question he couldn't talking-point his way through. And his staff is quite skilled at redaction.

Ever since Johnson made his decision (against the advice of his legal and technical staff) to reject California's petition to pass strict greenhouse gas emission rules for cars and trucks, House sleuth Henry Waxman (D-CA) has been on his case. Back in February, Waxman issued a subpoena to compel the EPA to turn over certain documents. It did. Now he's on the verge of issuing his second subpoena of the investigation (pdf), as he wrote in a letter yesterday to Johnson.

That's because Waxman and his staff have been engaged in prolonged negotiations with the EPA over documents, but patience is wearing thin. The EPA, citing an “Executive Branch confidentiality interest" because the documents "reflect internal deliberations and/or attorney-client communications," has been busily redacting pages. And they also continue to withhold "communications between EPA and the White House and the Department of Justice," Waxman writes -- "hundreds of documents" worth. Johnson has refused to discuss any communications with the White House about the California waiver.

If Johnson doesn't respond with an indication of when Waxman can expect more documents by tomorrow afternoon, he writes, then he'll be forced to consider another subpoena.

[democrat_patriot]

1. STop considering, threatening and waiting.

That's the problem with Dems, they keep threatening. Just do it. Don't let them know. Just do it.

Aside from that I commend Waxman - he keeps plodding on with his 100 or so investigations.

[pleah]

2. "forced to consider"!?

:eyes: Get the subpoena typed, sealed and delivered already! sheesh!

[kwolf68]

3. This is the problem with Dems..

When someone like Waxman, a strong Liberal, an otherwise great public servant does nothing better than idle threats what hope is there?

[hisownpetard]

4. YEAH, Henry! Please let me know when you might be required to contemplate

considering the possibility of opting to mull whether to consider issuing another subpoena, so I can mark it on my calendar?

[frylock]

5. how embarrassing