Deputy Attorney General James Cole, Attorney General Eric Holder’s number 2, reiterated his request for a meeting with House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) on Monday, saying in a letter he was “confident” they would be able to resolve the dispute over documents related to the Committee’s investigation of ATF’s botched Fast and Furious operation.
“We were surprised to learn earlier today that the Committee has scheduled a hearing to consider its draft contempt resolution arising out of the Fast and Furious investigation,” Cole wrote. “As you know, over the past few weeks our staffs have met twice and had other communications in an effort to address the questions set forth in the May 18, 2012 letter from House Leadership and you to the Attorney General, and at the same time preserve the Department’s legitimate interests.
“The conversations between our staffs have been productive and we believe that an amicable resolution to these matters is achievable,” Cole continued. “Because of this, the Committee’s decision to set a hearing on its draft contempt resolution is premature.”
