Kevin O'Connor, who previously served as the White House physician for President Joe Biden, has requested a postponement of his scheduled testimony before the House Oversight Committee.
The testimony, initially set for Wednesday, has become a point of contention due to disagreements over the scope of questions O'Connor would be expected to address. The committee, under the leadership of Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, is conducting an inquiry into Biden's mental acuity and the administration's use of an autopen.
According to Fox News, O'Connor's legal representative has proposed rescheduling the testimony to either July 28 or August 4. The request was made in a letter to Chairman Comer, emphasizing O'Connor's professional obligations. "Dr. OConnor has legal and ethical obligations that he must satisfy and for which violations carry serious consequences to him professionally and personally," the letter states.
It further expresses concern over the unprecedented nature of subpoenaing a physician to discuss the treatment of a specific patient, highlighting the potential breach of the physician-patient confidentiality.
In response, a spokesperson for the Oversight Committee accused O'Connor and his legal team of attempting to "stonewall" the proceedings. The committee maintains that while O'Connor may object to specific questions during his testimony, he cannot use concerns over privileged information as a basis to delay or refuse compliance with a congressional subpoena.
This development follows recent testimony from Neera Tanden, a former senior aide to Biden, who appeared before the Oversight Committee. Tanden disclosed that she was authorized to direct autopen signatures but was unaware of who within the President's inner circle granted final approval.
Her testimony, which lasted over five hours, revealed that despite her significant authority, she had limited direct interaction with President Biden. "Ms. Tanden testified that she had minimal interaction with President Biden, despite wielding tremendous authority," Comer remarked. He added that her account raises "serious questions about who was really calling the shots in the Biden White House amid the Presidents obvious decline."
The committee's investigation seeks to uncover the truth behind the decision-making processes within the Biden administration, particularly in light of concerns regarding the President's cognitive health.
Comer's comments underscore the committee's commitment to transparency and accountability, as they continue to probe the inner workings of the White House during Biden's tenure. The Associated Press also contributed to this report, providing additional context and information.
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