Dems may attempt to subpoena Bush aide re Medicare

April 1, 2004 - The Hill
Dems may attempt to subpoena Bush aide
By Bob Cusack

Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee may seek to subpoena a top White House aide if he fails to testify today on the Medicare cost-scoring controversy.

Administration officials have said that Doug Badger, President Bush's top healthcare adviser at the White House, will not testify on what Democrats have dubbed "Medigate." The White House has cited concerns about the separation of powers in their decision not to let Badger testify.

A House Democratic aide said that the other two Bush administration officials asked to testify ?-Medicare policymakers Jeffrey Flick and Leslie Norwalk ?- will answer questions about the suppression of cost projections to Congress.

It is unclear if former Medicare chief Tom Scully will testify tomorrow.

"At this point, Scully is a wild card," the aide said.

If Scully and Badger do not show, Democrats might make a motion to subpoena them. A majority of the committee must approve the motion for it to clear. The possible move could put Republicans in a difficult position, and it is unclear how they would vote on such a maneuver.

Republicans have declined to defend the administration's decision to keep the cost estimates under wraps.

After panel Democrats cited a procedural rule in calling for today's hearing, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) did not object ?- in a move that surprised some on Capitol Hill.

Democratic aides say that it is inconsistent for the Bush administration to allow National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice to testify before the Sept. 11 commission while declining to allow Badger to testify before Congress.

Dan Maffei, spokesman for Ways and Means Democrats, said, "Democratic members believe there is a strong public purpose in getting the testimony of all the witnesses."