Projo Politics Blog

A bill introduced by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., which would require the White House and Justice Department to tell Congress when officials initiate discussions of pending cases and investigations, cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee today.

In a news release, Whitehouse's office called the bill a move "aimed at restoring a critical safeguard against political interference at the Department of Justice."

Whitehouse states that under the Clinton administration seven people at White House and Justice Department were allowed to initiate talks about ongoing investigations compared to more than 900 under the Bush administration.

“Political operatives in the White House have no business engaging in sensitive case-specific conversations with Justice Department lawyers. But the Bush administration’s current policy allows just that,” Whitehouse said in the statement.

“Even (former) Attorney General Gonzales admitted that the greatest threat to the department’s independence came from the White House, so this portal between the White House and the department bears careful scrutiny. This bill will help restore Americans’ confidence in the administration of justice in this country."

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

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