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Bush advisers ordered to testify Bush advisers ordered to testify
(about 1 hour later)
A Congressional committee has voted to order key White House aides to testify under oath about the controversial firing of eight federal prosecutors.A Congressional committee has voted to order key White House aides to testify under oath about the controversial firing of eight federal prosecutors.
The White House has offered to let the aides speak to Congress, but not under oath, and will resist the new order.The White House has offered to let the aides speak to Congress, but not under oath, and will resist the new order.
Congress wants to question Karl Rove, President Bush's top political adviser, as well as Mr Bush's former lawyer.Congress wants to question Karl Rove, President Bush's top political adviser, as well as Mr Bush's former lawyer.
Lawmakers are probing the dismissal last year of eight US attorneys, which critics say was politically motivated.Lawmakers are probing the dismissal last year of eight US attorneys, which critics say was politically motivated.
Mr Bush's Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, has faced calls to resign over the dismissals.Mr Bush's Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, has faced calls to resign over the dismissals.
US ATTORNEYS 93 nationwideServe at the discretion of the president, with the advice and consent of the SenateProsecute criminal cases brought by the governmentProsecute or defend civil cases in which the government is a partyCollect debts owed to the government Source: US Department of Justice
The president has thus far stood by Mr Gonzales, a long-time confidant from their days in Texas before they came to Washington together.The president has thus far stood by Mr Gonzales, a long-time confidant from their days in Texas before they came to Washington together.
Private offer
Mr Gonzales says the prosecutors were dismissed because their performances were below standard.Mr Gonzales says the prosecutors were dismissed because their performances were below standard.
Congressional investigations have found that Mr Bush's former counsel, Harriet Miers, proposed firing all 93 US attorneys nationwide in 2005.Congressional investigations have found that Mr Bush's former counsel, Harriet Miers, proposed firing all 93 US attorneys nationwide in 2005.
Mr Gonzales is fighting to hold onto his job
One of the attorneys who was fired was replaced by a former aide to Mr Rove.One of the attorneys who was fired was replaced by a former aide to Mr Rove.
Mr Bush said on Tuesday that Congress should accept his offer to let his aides testify privately, without oath or transcript.Mr Bush said on Tuesday that Congress should accept his offer to let his aides testify privately, without oath or transcript.
He vowed to resist any order, or subpoena, for them to testify in public.He vowed to resist any order, or subpoena, for them to testify in public.
"We will not go along with a partisan fishing expedition aimed at honourable public servants," Mr Bush said."We will not go along with a partisan fishing expedition aimed at honourable public servants," Mr Bush said.
The BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says the House demand for testimony under oath sets up a constitutional battle between the president and Congress which could end up in the Supreme Court.
Bipartisan unease
The criticism of Mr Gonzales began with the Democrats who now control Congress, but has spread to Republicans as well.
US ATTORNEYS 93 nationwideServe at the discretion of the president, with the advice and consent of the SenateProsecute criminal cases brought by the governmentProsecute or defend civil cases in which the government is a partyCollect debts owed to the government Source: US Department of Justice
The Senate voted overwhelmingly - and with bipartisan support - on Tuesday to strip Mr Gonzales of the power to appoint US attorneys without its consent.
And the vote on Wednesday authorising the use of subpoenas to compel White House officials to testify passed on a voice vote with no dissent.
Critics of the prosecutor firings - including some of the prosecutors themselves - say they were removed for investigating Republican officials or failing to investigate alleged vote fraud in support of Democrats.