My Reluctant Vote of Contempt Against Bolten and Rove (Sen. Arlen Specter)

It was a vote that I made with reluctance, but I did so because I think it is necessary for the Congress to demonstrate our determination on congressional oversight that it involves some very important, substantive programs.

As I’ve said on many occasions in the past, I’m prepared to meet all of the administration’s demands except one. I’m prepared to give up the oath; I’m prepared to give up separate sessions by the House and Senate; I’m prepared to give up a public session; I’m even prepared to give up a transcript, much as I dislike doing that. But it is just impossible to make a concession not to proceed further. We cannot abrogate or relinquish our constitutional responsibilities.

I voted for the contempt citations knowing that it is highly likely to be a meaningless act because it takes a long period of time to enforce the process and to have a judicial determination. But I think, in this context, we have no alternative but to proceed to do that.