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Bush, George W.

President Bush Refuses to Turn Over Documents on Harriet Miers, Setting Up Potential Confrontation with Senate

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

President Bush has refused to turn over documents related to Harriet E. Miers's work in the White House, citing executive privilege and the need for confidentiality in presidential advice. This decision has set up a potential confrontation with the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has requested the documents to evaluate Miers's nomination to the Supreme Court. Bush's stance has been met with criticism from Republicans and Democrats, who argue that the documents could help them assess Miers's qualifications and potential conflicts of interest.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Bush has refused to turn over documents related to Harriet E. Miers's work in the White House, citing executive privilege and the need for confidentiality in presidential advice.
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee has requested the documents to evaluate Miers's nomination to the Supreme Court and assess her qualifications and potential conflicts of interest.
  • Bush's refusal to turn over the documents has been met with criticism from Republicans and Democrats, including Senators Arlen Specter, Patrick J. Leahy, Charles E. Schumer, and Dianne Feinstein.
  • Conservative opponents of Miers's nomination have stepped up their efforts to block her, with groups like Fidelis and Phyllis Schlafly's Eagle Forum organizing efforts to push for her withdrawal.
  • A coalition led by Fidelis has set up a Web site, www.withdrawmiers.org, to collect conservative commentary opposing the nomination and to solicit e-mail messages urging senators to oppose it.
  • The White House has said that it will continue to support Miers's nomination, despite growing criticism from both parties.

Statistics:

  • The Senate Judiciary Committee has requested documents from the White House to evaluate Miers's nomination to the Supreme Court.
  • Harriet Miers's nomination has grown increasingly troubled, with 43 Republican senators joining Democrats in opposing her.
  • The White House has estimated that the cost of repealing the estate tax will be $500 billion over 10 years.
  • The Fidelis coalition has raised $200,000 to $500,000 for its efforts to block Miers's nomination.

Sources:

  • The New York Times, "Bush Will Not Turn Over Documents on Miers", October 30, 2005
  • AP News, "Bush Refuses to Turn Over Miers' Documents", October 30, 2005
  • The Washington Post, "GOP Closes Ranks Around Miers", November 1, 2005

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