The Hill's short-lived love
Posted: Thursday, February 14, 2008 12:46 PM by Domenico Montanaro
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Mike Viqueira
From NBC's Mike Viqueira
The brief interlude of cross-aisle love and tenderness is coming to an ugly end in Congress.
Republicans are outraged. Democrats are putting forward a resolution holding White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers in contempt of Congress. House GOP rank-and-file are planning a dramatic walk out when the vote is called.
Democrats are affronted. Right in the middle of the Statuary Hall service for the late Tom Lantos, a Republican went to the floor -- just steps from the solemn proceedings -- and called a procedural vote, apparently out of pique.
The full House will vote on the contempt resolution. It is likely to pass. The resolution directs the speaker to refer the case to the Department of Justice. DoJ would then have to decide for itself whether to pursue the case.
The vote is expected at around 1 p.m.
The controversy involves the firing of federal prosecutors and the refusal by White House officials to comply with congressional requests for documents and testimony.
The president is pressing also. He has a news conference called for 1 p.m. The FISA law is about to expire. Another temporary extension just failed to pass the House yesterday. Republicans are whispering about the possibility of another dramatic gesture, this time from the president himself.
Congress is due to be on recess next week. Might the president call them back? Isn't the president due to fly to Africa very soon? Just askin.'