Senators said Tuesday they’re considering legislation that would require federal courts to get involved and more quickly resolve executive privilege fights between the executive branch and Congress, after dragged-out disputes have left lawmakers lacking requested documents.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, the chair of Senate Judiciary’s subcommittee on the courts, said at the start of Tuesday’s hearing he hopes senators “can work toward a bipartisan law allowing expedited consideration by courts” when it comes to assertions of executive privilege. Presidents can assert the privilege over certain confidential executive branch information requested by Congress, but officials are supposed to balance that shield with lawmakers’ right to information as part of their oversight duties. 

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