Biden Loses Bid to Search for Accuser Complaint

Joe Biden's attempt to clear himself of a sexual assault allegation hit a wall Monday when the secretary of the Senate declined to provide any information about a complaint—including whether one exists. Tara Reade said she filed a complaint with a Capitol personnel office in 1993; Biden, who was a senator at the time, said he knew nothing about a complaint and last week asked for a document search to find and release it. Julie Adams answered Monday that confidentiality laws prohibit that, saying she "has no discretion to disclose any such information," Politico reports.

Biden's team answered Monday with more questions for the secretary. Bob Bauer, a White House counsel under President Barack Obama, asked what the Senate policy was when the complaint was filed, per the Hill. He also asked if anyone else, such as Reade, could successfully request that the files be released and if the secretary can reveal whether a complaint was filed. Reade has said she's not sure of the wording she used in her complaint. (Former Obama aides offer Biden advice.)