House Judiciary Committee holds Rove in contempt

The House Judiciary Committee has voted to hold former White House adviser Karl Rove in contempt of Congress for ignoring a subpoena requesting his testimony.

The 20-to-14 vote went down party lines.

{mosads}Rove’s testimony is sought in the committee’s investigation of the politicization of the Department of Justice, specifically the prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman (D).

In a memo to the committee, summarizing Rove’s refusal to testify, chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) wrote, “Mr. Rove has refused even to appear before the committee and assert whatever privileges that he believes may apply to his testimony, relying on excessively broad and legally insufficient claims of ‘absolute immunity’ — never recognized by any court — in declining to appear.”

Ranking member Lamar Smith (R-Texas) said the vote “disregarded” the facts of Rove’s involvement with the Department of Justice.

“There is no credible evidence to support a contempt resolution against Karl Rove. Every individual involved in the claimed incident — including Don Siegelman himself — has denied allegations by Jill Simpson,” Smith said.

It is not clear whether the contempt charge will be brought to the full House, which is scheduled to adjourn for its August recess this week.