Congress Fights Executive Privilege Scope

WASHINGTON — President Bush's refusal to let two confidants provide information to Congress about fired federal prosecutors represents the most expansive view of executive privilege since Watergate, the House Judiciary Committee told a federal judge yesterday. Lawyers for the Democratic-led panel argued that Mr. Bush's chief of staff, Josh Bolten, and former White House counsel Harriet Miers are not protected from subpoenas that sought information about the dismissals.

The filing came in lawsuit that pits the legislative branch against the executive in a fight over a president's powers. The committee is seeking the testimony as it tries to make a case that the White House directed the firing of nine U.S. attorneys because they were not supportive of Republicans' political agenda. The White House says such information is covered by executive privilege, the doctrine intended to protect the confidentiality of presidential communications.