Ruling on Congressional Subpoenas Necessary Rebuke to Administration

Statement of Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron

July 31, 2008, Washington, DC--"Today's ruling that senior Bush administration advisors are not immune from congressional subpoenas is a victory for our constitutional system of checks and balances. 

"The opinion was authored by Judge John Bates -- a George W. Bush appointee perhaps best known for his role as a deputy to Ken Starr during the Lewinsky investigation -- hardly a friend to House Democrats.  Judge Bates, who also was tapped by Chief Justice John Roberts to sit on the ultrasecret FISA courts, observed that '[c]lear precedent and persuasive policy reasons confirm that the Executive cannot be the judge of its own privilege.' 

"Judge Bates' ruling was a necessary rebuke to this administration, which has bent, twisted and ignored the law in an effort to assert unfettered executive privilege and power. Alliance for Justice applauds today's decision for placing constitutional prerogatives ahead of partisan politics."