Washington, D.C. - At a meeting of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee today, Rep. Peter Welch urged the subpoena of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for her role in spreading misleading pre-war intelligence.

Welch believes that compulsory measures are now required because of Rice's repeated unwillingness to testify or produce documents on faulty pre-war intelligence at the request of the Committee and the Committee's Chairman Henry Waxman.

The Committee voted 21-10 in favor of issuing the subpoena just after noon today.

"Enough is enough. This Administration must face the fact that they are accountable to Congress and the American people," said Welch.

"This Administration's reckless disregard for the truth must be called into account. No more foot dragging. No more stall tactics. And no more lies to the American people," asserted Welch. "There is a new cop on the beat providing the accountability and oversight the public has long deserved."

The primary reason for a subpoena involves Rice's refusal to testify on the role she played in the President's false assertion that Iraq was seeking uranium from Niger in making the case for war with Iraq.

From 2003 to 2006, Waxman repeatedly requested information from Rice in her capacity as National Security Advisor and as Secretary of State, but the Administration cited their policy of not responding to minority party requests in their refusal.

On March 12, 2007, now Chairman Waxman sent a new letter to Secretary Rice renewing his previous requests on the fabrication of pre-war intelligence and treatment of classified information by the White House, among other issues.

Rice failed to adequately answer or ignored subsequent letters sent by the Committee on March 30, April 9, and April 17.

Welch added, "Secretary Rice's unwillingness to answer questions about misleading the public has left me no choice but to advocate for the use of Congress' subpoena power today."