Waxman wants answers on ‘asset deployment teams’

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) demanded Tuesday that 18 federal agencies provide the panel with documents related to “asset deployment teams” managed by departing White House adviser Karl Rove leading up to the 2004 election.

According to Waxman, documents obtained by the committee confirm the existence of the teams, as well as the involvement of 18 federal agencies, including the Departments of Justice, State and Homeland Security, in a 2003 asset deployment strategy meeting.

{mosads}Waxman set a deadline of Sept. 7 for the delivery of all documents relating to asset deployment activities, as well as any communication from the White House suggesting scheduling travel, policy announcements or agency grants. Waxman has also requested a list of all events outside Washington in which an agency head appeared with a federal official or candidate from 2003 to 2006.

Democrats are trying to determine whether the administration violated the Hatch Act, which prohibits government officials to use federal resources for campaign purposes.

The Washington Post on Sunday reported the existence of the “asset deployment teams” and their role in the election.

They were part of a White House effort to use agency resources to bolster the case for the reelection of President Bush and the Republican Congress, according to the article.