White House: Subpoenas kill deal

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The White House today said their offer to allow Congress to interview top administration officials will be voided if Democrats issue subpoenas.

"If they issue subpoenas, the offer is withdrawn," said White House spokesman Tony Snow.

Democrats can either accept the White House offer to talk in private, without a transcript and not under oath, with Karl Rove and other top administration officials, or issue subpoenas, which President Bush has said he will fight in court.

Mr. Snow, when pressed, backed off his statement that the White House would withdraw their offer. He said instead that Congress would have "knocked it off the table."

"They will have rejected the offer," Mr. Snow said at the midday news briefing.

A House Judiciary subcommittee this morning authorized the issuance of subpoenas for Mr. Rove, a top political adviser, and former White House counsel Harriet Miers, giving congressional Democrats more leverage in their showdown with Mr. Bush.

"The White House's offer provides nothing more than conversations. It does not allow this committee to get the information we need without transcripts or oaths," said Rep. John Conyers Jr., Michigan Democrat, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee.

"We are continuing our talks with the White House, along with the Senate, but we must protect the interest of the Congress and the American people by maintaining the option to move forward with our investigation with or without continued cooperation from the administration," Mr. Conyers said.

Congress wants to delve into whether the White House fired eight federal prosecutors last year for improper reasons. Mr. Conyers may now issue the subpoenas at any time.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled tomorrow to vote to authorize their own subpoenas on Mr. Rove and Miss Miers.