Patrick Leahy Discusses the White House Continued Resistance to Submit to a "Valid Act of Congress"

Below is a video of Patrick Leahy discussing the lack of cooperation on the part of this administration and its ability to ignore a "valid act of congress" submitting to a request for documents on the NSA wiretapping program. Leahy says he has no hesitation to issue contempt charges for ignoring a valid act of congress. The subpoenas were passed by a valid bipartisan vote of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee had already pushed back the date for the subpoenas from July 18th.

Leahy goes on to say that in the 109th Congress led by Arlen Specter (in the Senate Judiciary Committee) Mr. Specter and the committee attempted to ask questions regarding the NSA wiretapping program, but Vice President Cheney told Specter (personally) not to order subpoenas. Leahy says: "I am not sure that is my understanding of the separation of powers." Chuckling. Though, this is not a chuckling matter.

Also yesterday, in response to the deadline for the subpoenas Leahy's committee received in letter (in lieu of the documents) that the White House said would be responsive to the requested documents. In the letter, the administration claims the Office of the Vice President is not part of the Executive Office of the President. Again. Leahy goes on to say however, before leaving for Vermont he checked the White House website and their site lists the Vice President's office as part of the Executive office of the President.

There is no longer a separation of powers in this administration or in our constitution if one branch can thumb its nose at the other. We are in a dictatorship right now.