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Ridge congress ap { March 26 2002 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16829-2002Mar25.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16829-2002Mar25.html Ridge Offers Congress Informal Briefing Associated Press Tuesday, March 26, 2002; Page A03 Under bipartisan fire from Congress, Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge offered yesterday to compromise in his refusal to testify to lawmakers about the White House's counterterrorism budget. The presidential adviser proposed giving a less formal briefing to the House and Senate next month, taking questions from lawmakers before the public and media. "I believe it will meet your needs and avoid the setting of a precedent that could undermine the constitutional separation of powers and the long-standing traditions and practices of both Congress and the executive branch," Ridge said in a letter hand-delivered to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.). Byrd and the committee's ranking Republican, Ted Stevens (Alaska), requested this month that Ridge testify at an April hearing about the administration's request for $38 billion for domestic security programs. Ridge's refusal -- on grounds that presidential advisers, unlike Cabinet members or agency heads, do not traditionally testify before Congress -- sparked outrage among Democrats and Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) said a subpoena was an option if Ridge would not relent. Byrd said last night that President Bush had not responded to a request by Stevens and himself for a meeting to discuss the prospect of Ridge testifying before the Senate panel. "I remain hopeful that the president will respond favorably to Senator Stevens and me," he said. An aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Byrd intended to review Ridge's letter carefully but said his initial reaction was to question whether the offer satisfies Congress's prerogative. Ridge and the White House contend he has repeatedly met privately with lawmakers to discuss homeland security initiatives. Ridge underscored that in his letter, saying he has had more than 35 meetings on Capitol Hill since Oct. 8 and his staff has been involved in more than 100 meetings with lawmakers. © 2002 The Washington Post Company

Congress whitehouse { March 14 2002 } Ridge congress ap { March 26 2002 } Ridge senate Files Listed: 3

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