Contempt of Congress

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Addington: "I've used the word..."

Conyers: " -- you don't know what the unitary theory means."

Addington: "I don't know what you mean by it, no, Mr. Chairman."

Conyers: "You don't know what I mean by it."

Addington: "Or anyone else."

Conyers: "Do you know what you mean by it?"

Addington: "I know exactly what I mean by it and. . . .

Conyers: "Tell me."

Addington: "The use of the word unitary by me has been in the context of unitary executive branch and all that refers to is -- I think it's the first sentence of Article 2 of the Constitution, which says all of the executive power is vested in, A, the president of the United States, one president, all of the executive power, not some of it, not part of it, not the parts Congress doesn't want to exercise itself. That's all it refers to."

Here's Addington at his most testy, responding to subcommittee chairman Nadler:

Nadler: "Professor Yoo is quoted as saying that under certain circumstances, it would be proper and legal to torture a detainee's child to get necessary information. Do you agree with that?"

Addington: "I don't agree or disagree with it, Mr. Chairman. I don't plan to address it. You're seeking legal opinion and, as we told you in Exhibit 4, I'm not here to render legal advice to your committee. You do have attorneys of your own to give you legal advice. "

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