White House to Dems: No Documents for You This Week

From a release just out from House Judicary Chairman John Conyers (D-MI):

“The White House Counsel’s office advised us this afternoon that the White House would not be providing documents to the Committee, or providing the White House’s position with respect to the Committee securing the testimony of White House officials today. This is contrary to earlier expectations that the Committee would receive these answers and documents today and is, therefore, very disappointing. The Counsel’s office has assured me that they will continue to work in good faith to get answers to those questions by early next week.

Despite those assurances and my continued hope that the White House will resolve these questions in a cooperative fashion, the Committee must take steps to ensure that we are not being stonewalled or slow walked on this matter. I will schedule a vote to issue subpoenas next week for the documents and officials we need to talk to. Allegations that our criminal justice system has been undermined by partisan politics and that the Congress was deceived about these activities are among the most serious this Congress will consider and we expect immediate answers.”

From Subcommittee Chair Linda Sanchez (D-CA):

“The White House is playing a dangerous game of chicken. The House Judiciary Committee has been operating in good faith to get to the bottom of this growing scandal, and Chairman Conyers has shown particular restraint in working towards voluntary cooperation.”

A vote will be scheduled next week on issuing subpoenas to Karl Rove, Rove’s deputy Scott Jennings, former White House Counsel Harriet Miers, Deputy Counsel William Kelley, and possibly others.

Update: Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says, “It is disappointing that the White House is not coming forward with their plan to bring witnesses to testify. We hope that this delay is not a signal they will not cooperate.”