With full support from Republicans (and none from Democrats, naturally), the House voted today to subpoena the White House for any and all records regarding Solyndra, the Fremont, California-based solar company that imploded this year after receiving a $535 million loan from the Obama administration in 2009. After Democrats tried the snarl the vote, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved it in a 14-9 vote.
According to Fox News, "Democrats argued the resolution was too broad and gave Chairman Fred Upton too much power. But Republicans said a subpoena was necessary because the White House has denied or delayed requests for thousands of documents related to Solyndra."
The White House was furious with the vote, saying that it has already cooperated with the investigation by handing over tens of thousands of documents.
"And all of the materials that have been disclosed affirm what we said on Day One: this was a merit-based decision made by the Department of Energy," said White House spokesman Eric Schultz.
Throwing a touch of shade at the GOP, Schultz added: "We'd like to see as much passion in House Republicans for creating jobs as we see in this investigation."
Republicans, however, aren't buying it. Smelling "a rat form the beginning," the House wants to investigate the loan guarantee and its restructuring of terms.
"We have clearly established that senior White House advisers had close knowledge of the Solyndra loan and that DOE officials felt pressure from the White House to approve the loan," Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) explained to The Washington Post. "The White House has refused to produce them, and we have no choice but to authorize the issuance of a subpoena to compel them."
The noted solar company shuttered in September of 2011, most notably receiving a visit from the FBI while closing down operations.