A showdown is set between Congress and the White House over a congressional probe into the recent firing of eight U.S. attorneys. On Tuesday, President Bush defended Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and vowed to fight congressional efforts to subpoena presidential adviser Karl Rove, former White House counsel Harriet Miers and other White House officials. Congress is attempting to investigate whether the firing of the U.S. attorneys was actually a political purge. President Bush has offered to allow Rove and other officials to meet with Congress but under extraordinary conditions — behind closed doors, not under oath, and transcripts of their testimony would not be permitted. President Bush defended the offer last night.

President Bush: “We will not go along with a partisan fishing expedition aimed at honorable public servants. The initial response by Democrats unfortunately shows some appear more interested in scoring political points than in learning the facts. It will be regrettable if they choose to head down the partisan road of issuing subpoenas and demanding show trials.”

The chairs of both the Senate and House judiciary committees rejected the White House offer. Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy said, “Testimony should be on the record, and under oath. That’s the formula for true accountability.” The House committees will vote today on whether to subpoena Karl Rove and others. The Senate committee will vote tomorrow. The Senate has also voted 94 to two to cancel a provision of the PATRIOT Act that allowed the attorney general to appoint U.S. attorneys without Senate confirmation.