A First Step towards holding Rove in contempt

This Congress has been far too mealy-mouthed in their comments when high-ranking Republicans refuse to obey the laws of our land, including refusal to appear before Congressional committees when subpoenaed to do so. Rove is the latest in the line of Bush Republicans to flaunt their arrogance, believing themselves to be above the law. I hope the entire House holds him in contempt and that he will eventually go to prison, where he deserves to live out the rest of his life for his many dark deeds.

House Panel Votes To Hold Rove In Contempt Of Congress

By: Nicole Belle @ 9:03 AM - PDT

RawStory:

The House Judiciary Committee has voted 20-14 to approve a contempt of Congress resolution against former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove for his failure to appear after a Congressional subpoena.

Voting along party lines Wednesday morning, the committee said Rove broke the law by failing to appear at a July 10 hearing on allegations of White House influence over the Justice Department, including whether Rove encouraged prosecutions against Democrats.

The committee decision is a recommendation. It remains unclear whether Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will allow a final vote.

UPDATE: From the House Judiciary Committee:

“Today’s vote was an important statement by this Committee that no person - not even Karl Rove - is above the law.” said Chairman John Conyers, Jr. “This week’s Inspector General report on the pervasive politicization of the Department of Justice particularly underscores the urgent need for Mr. Rove to testify before Congress. Any suggestion that the matters for which Mr. Rove was subpoenaed are not important, or that no Administration misconduct has been revealed, is just inconsistent with the facts. Our investigation has revealed Mr. Rove to be a key figure in the firings of US Attorneys, and the questions about his role in the Siegelman case only continue to mount.”

“Today’s vote demonstrates that the House will not tolerate Mr. Rove’s flawed excuses for avoiding his responsibility to obey a Congressional subpoena,” said Rep. Linda Sánchez, Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law. “We are serious about defending the legislative branch’s constitutional oversight role, and it’s time for Mr. Rove to get serious about following the law.”

Crooks and Liars