WASHINGTON, March 21 (UPI) -- Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives took the first step toward issuing White House staff subpoenas regarding the firing of U.S. attorneys.
In a voice vote Wednesday, the House Judiciary subcommittee rejected U.S. President George Bush's offer on Tuesday to have staff testify without taking an oath and off the record. The vote opens the door for advancing to authorize the issuance of subpoenas, CNN reported.
Congress is investigating whether the dismissal of eight U.S. attorneys was politically motivated. The issue came to light in e-mail exchanges between White House staff, some of whom wanted to dismiss all 93 attorneys, and Justice Department officials.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is to vote on the same issue Thursday and its chairman, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., has said he rejects Bush's offer.
Tuesday, Bush was asked if he would oppose congressional action to subpoena his staff, and he replied "Absolutely."
