House Panel Approves Resolution Rejecting White House Immunity Claim

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has approved along party lines (19-14) a resolution rejecting the Obama administration’s claim of executive immunity from testifying before Congress.

The debate on the resolution follows a decision by David Simas, the director of the White House Office of Political Strategy and Outreach, not to appear at today’s hearing to answer questions about alleged violations of the Hatch Act. The law prohibits political activity by employees in the executive branch. Mr. Simas also declined to testify at a hearing earlier this month.

Late Thursday evening, the U.S. Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner informed Rep. Elijah Cummings, the ranking Democrat on the committee, in a letter, that the White House was not in violation of the Hatch Act.

In response to White House complaints about the committee’s treatment of its staff compared with previous administrations, Chairman Issa told White House Counsel Neil Eggleson that he was willing to cancel today’s hearing if he would make Mr. Simas available for a deposition.