WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Randy Neugebauer (TX-19) released a statement criticizing the White House for invoking Executive Privilege to protect documents which have been subpoenaed in a House committee investigation of Operation Fast and Furious and Attorney General Eric Holder.

“The White House decision to grant Attorney General Holder executive privilege is yet another example of this Administration’s refusal to behave in a transparent, accountable fashion.

“The Obama Administration has a history of ignoring laws passed by Congress.  Today they are withholding documents that are critical to the Congressional investigation of the controversial Fast and Furious program.  Last week, they did an end-run around Congress on immigration laws.  Last year, the president issued an executive order saying they would no longer enforce the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Clinton.

“Government must be accountable to the people if it is to be truly democratic.  On behalf of my constituents in West Texas, I’ll continue demanding answers from the Obama Administration.”

Background: The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is conducting an investigation of reckless conduct in Operation Fast and Furious, a program which allowed gun smugglers to take possession of U.S. weapons in an attempt to trace the guns back to drug cartels.   The program not only lost hundreds of firearms, many of which were used in violent crimes, but it also lead to the death of border patrol agent Brian Terry in December of 2010.

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