White House Fights Suit Against First Lady
The White House asked a federal judge Wednesday to dismiss a lawsuit against First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton that seeks to force open the workings of the health care reform task force she chairs.
Three groups contended in a suit filed last week that, because Clinton is not a federal employee, closed meetings between task force members and working groups advising the panel are illegal under the 1972 Federal Advisory Committee Act or FACA.
“There is no evidence that Congress intended FACA to apply to a task force solely of Cabinet members, White House officials and the First Lady,” acting Atty. Gen. Stuart M. Gerson said in a 40-page reply Wednesday.
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