Bush aides win delay for congressional testimony

WASHINGTON -- A federal appeals court on Monday rejected House Democrats' demands to force two of President Bush's top aides to cooperate with an investigation about the firings of nine federal prosecutors in 2006. Time will run out on this year's congressional session before the battle between two branches of government can be resolved, according to the ruling by a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The ruling essentially pushes any resolution on the politically charged case until next year. "The present dispute is of potentially great significance for the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches," wrote the panel of judges, two of whom were appointed by Republicans. Still, the judges wrote, "Even if expedited, this controversy will not be fully and... [read full story]