Hastert tried to block extension of 9/11 investigation

When I first read this headline, I thought that it was going to refer to the proposed extension of the 9/11 commission's deadline to January 2005, something the 9/11 families desire. After all, the Bush administration allegedly pledged its support to extend the investigation another two months, so I thought that was more or less a done deal. How wrong I was:

In a blow to the commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives has told the White House and fellow Republicans that he will not bring up legislation to extend its May 27 deadline, officials said on Wednesday.

President Bush's chief of staff, Andrew Card, personally had appealed to Speaker Dennis Hastert to reconsider, and the Illinois Republican met on Wednesday with Bush at the White House.

But the speaker's spokesman, John Feehery, said Hastert told the White House and members of the House Republican conference that "it's a bad idea to extend the commission and ... that we're not going to bring any legislation up."

The commission wants a 60-day extension through July 26 to complete its final report on the attacks. Despite initial objections, Bush backed the extension and the Senate is moving forward with legislation.

But Hastert cast serious doubt on its prospects for passage in the Republican-controlled House. "He thinks the (commission's) report is overdue and we need to get the recommendations as soon as possible. He is also concerned it will become a political football if this thing is extended and it is released in the middle of the presidential campaign," Feehery said.

While Hastert has relented and agreed not to block the extension, it's highly unlikely that the Bush administration didn't have some input on his earlier declaration.