Pelosi Statement on House Filing Civil Lawsuit Against Bush Administration to Enforce Contempt Subpoenas

'The House is taking action today to uphold the rule of law and to protect our Constitutional system of checks and balances.  Congress, on behalf of the American people, is clearly entitled to the information that is being sought - it involves the politicization of the Justice Department and law enforcement, not national security information nor communications with the President.  The President has no grounds to assert executive privilege.

'By filing this lawsuit, House Members recognize the need to defend Congress' subpoena power against the efforts of any Administration to hide information in order to prevent the exercise of Congress' oversight and lawmaking responsibilities.  This action is completely non-partisan. Seventeen Republican Members of the House Judiciary Committee stated in their minority report that an alternative to the contempt citation issued by the House and rejected by the Attorney General is 'bringing an enforcement action under the federal question jurisdiction already conferred on the district courts.'  Today's lawsuit follows that alternative.

'The House stands ready, as it has throughout this dispute with the Administration, to discuss terms under which necessary testimony and information can be provided consistent with the need to ensure accountability and veracity.  The Bush Administration cannot conceal information and prevent Congress from carrying out its oversight and lawmaking responsibilities.  This and future Congresses will not and must not abdicate our Constitutional right to conduct meaningful oversight of the Executive Branch.'