WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District) issued the following statement on actions taken today in the U.S. House of Representatives:

"Congress has a constitutional duty to check and balance other branches of government, and today we acted twice to do just that.

"We voted to hold accountable two administration officials who refused to respond to Congressional subpoenas. And we held the administration accountable to the courts for its surveillance programs.

"Frankly, it's a shame that Congress has to spend its time cleaning up after the executive branch. We have so many pressing concerns to deal with, from our dependence on foreign oil to the war in Iraq to health care.

"I hope the White House takes today's votes as a sign that it must stop pushing the boundaries of the Constitution and begin working with Congress toward higher goals.

"We all agree that keeping America and Americans safe is our number one priority. There’s just no reason to throw out the Constitution to do it."

Rep. Boyda voted today in support of H.Res. 979, a resolution to hold former White House Counsel Harriet Miers and former White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten in contempt of Congress for their refusal to comply with subpoenas issued by the Judiciary Committee. Miers and Bolton were subpoenaed as part of the U.S. Attorneys scandal involving former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Since World War II, at least 74 sitting White House advisers, including White House counsels, have testified before Congress, including 17 between 1996 and 2001 during the Clinton Administration.

The House also decided today not to renew wide-ranging surveillance legislation passed at the end of last year. The intelligence community remains able to continue current surveillance and begin new surveillance on any terrorism threat.  The president and the intelligence community continue to have all the tools they need to keep America safe, and they will the same tools on Monday that they have today.

All authorizations for surveillance that are currently in place will still be in effect for at least another six months. If any new surveillance needs to begin, the FISA court can approve a request within minutes. In the case of an emergency, surveillance can begin immediately and FISA approval may be obtained later.