WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives voted 223-32 today to cite former White House counsel Harriet Miers and President Bush's chief of staff Joshua Bolten for contempt of Congress, for refusing to testify about their part in the firing of nine U.S. attorneys.
The measure calls for House officials to seek enforcement of the contempt citation in the courts if, as expected, the Justice Department refuses to act on the resolution. Most Republican congressmen walked out on the vote. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House vote came six months after its Judiciary Committee recommended the move, and the White House resisted any reasonable compromise.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.