Judge won't force release of documents

WASHINGTON (CNN) - A federal judge has declined to set a deadline for the Justice Department to disclose documents that pertain to the 2006 firings of nine government prosecutors. Congressional Democrats believe the documents may show an improper political agenda behind the dismissals.

At a hearing Wednesday, U.S. District Judge John Bates acknowledged concerns by Justice Department lawyers who plan to ask for a stay while they appeal his July ruling that it is constitutional for Congress to subpoena administration documents and force aides to testify.

"I'm not going to make any precipitous moves," the judge said, declining a request from congressional lawyers to set a firm date to receive documents not covered by any claim of executive privilege.
–From CNN's Paul Courson