WASHINGTON, DC - Sen. John Kerry issued the following statement today, in response to the White House announcement that the President's lawyers will block Congress from hearing testimony from two aides suspected of playing a role in the US Attorney's purge.


"I hope President Bush will rethink his refusal to cooperate with Congress and have his aides come clean on the firings of U.S. Attorneys," Kerry said. "Attempting to prevent the Senate from investigating only prolongs the toxicity and further isolates a White House in bunker mode, at a time when bipartisan cooperation on big issues is desperately needed. From Day One, the President has invoked the Cheney playbook and tried to draw a vast circle of secrecy around his Administration. His refusal to allow aides to answer questions openly and honestly is another reminder of not just how little this White House respects the legislative branch, but how stubbornly committed they are to avoiding transparency and thwarting the public's right to know."



###