By Associated Press
Washington, DC – A House panel on Wednesday voted to cite former top White House aide Karl Rove for contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena.
The House Judiciary Committee said Rove broke the law by failing to appear at a July 10th hearing on allegations of White House influence over the Justice Department. Among the issues to be addressed at the hearing was whether Rove encouraged prosecutions against Democrats such as former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman.
Rove was also supposed to answer questions about the dismissals of several federal prosecutors.
The committee's vote broke along party lines. The decision is only a recommendation. It was unclear whether Speaker Nancy Pelosi would allow a final vote.
Rove has denied any involvement with Justice decisions, and the White House has said Congress has no authority to compel testimony from current and former advisers.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)