Justice Department officials have invited House Judiciary Committee staff to a Wednesday meeting to seek a “mutually acceptable” way to provide special counsel Robert Mueller’s full report to Congress.
Assistant Attorney General Stephen Boyd sent the letter to Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., hours after Nadler announced a Wednesday committee vote to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress.
Nadler had set a 9 a.m. Monday deadline for Barr to turn over the fully unredacted version of the report to Congress.
Barr, who is legally blocked from releasing parts of the report that include classified or grand jury information, did not comply with the demand.
“The Department’s letter invites Committee staff to come to the Department on Wednesday to discuss a mutually acceptable accommodation,” DOJ spokesperson Kerri Kupec said.
“The Department remains willing to accommodate Congress’s legitimate needs, but must do so consistent with the law.”
Boyd, in the letter, asked that Nadler at least review the less-redacted version made available to top lawmakers. Nadler has refused to review the document because he cannot share it with other lawmakers. Nadler wants all of the report released to Congress.
Boyd said the DOJ is willing to discuss Nadler’s request “to provide greater access,” to the less-redacted version “to additional members of Congress and staff,” and to prioritize the review and release of “certain materials” cited in the report.
Boyd said those disclosures would have to be legal and done “in a manner that protects long-established Executive Branch confidentiality interests.”
Kupec, in her statement, noted the Judiciary Committee “was informed over the weekend that the Department of Justice would be responding today.”
