Obama gatecrashers face subpoenas

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The US Congress has voted to subpoena two White House gatecrashers to answer questions about how they got into a state dinner without an invitation.

Tareq and Michaele Salahi declined an earlier invitation to appear voluntarily at a congressional hearing.

The House Homeland Security Committee voted to issue subpoenas to compel them to testify on 20 January 2010.

However, it rejected a request to subpoena White House social secretary Desiree Rogers over the Salahi stunt.

The Salahis gained access to a state dinner hosted by President Barack Obama on 24 November.

They mingled with the guests and even had their picture taken with Mr Obama.

The Virginia couple have said they will invoke their Fifth Amendment rights to refuse to answer questions.

Their publicist said the Salahis provided the committee with statements and emails between themselves and a Pentagon official whom they pressed for tickets.

The incident drew a rare public apology from the US Secret Service. Three of its officers were placed on administrative leave over the breach.

The White House said it would enforce new rules to monitor official events.