• Rove reportedly told investigators that Novak informed him of Plame during a conversation on July 8, 2003, before the publication of the initial article; revelation adds fuel to fire. [NYT, WP]

• Rehnquist denies his retirement is "imminent." [WP, NYT, WSJ]

• "Only extreme political jeopardy" would cause Rove's departure because of Bush's dependence on him. GOP pollster: "Most Americans are far more concerned about their summer vacations." [WSJ]

• Mehlman addresses NAACP as Bush speaks at Indiana Black Expo. Mehlman: "Some Republicans gave up on winning the African-American vote, looking the other way or trying to benefit politically from racial polarization. I am here today as the Republican chairman to tell you we were wrong." [WP, NYT, LAT, USAT]

• Senators quarrel over Homeland Security budget before passing $32b plan that allots $50m less for transportation security than the current budget; immigration amendments were a hot topic on the floor, especially among '08 contenders. [NYT, WSJ, WT]

• Gang of 14 meet over doughnuts to discuss hypotheticals for Supreme Court nominations. [NYT]

• Christian telecast set to blast Supreme Court's "hostility toward religion and Christianity in particular." [NYT]

• Partisans argue about Rove's security clearance. [WP, WT]

• Social Security off the table until at least September. [WP, NYT]

• Boxer, Obama threaten to block nominees to the EPA unless agency comes clean. [LAT]

• Pataki hits Iowa to gauge prospects of a presidential campaign. [NYT]

• Rep. Randy Cunningham, eight-term Republican from San Diego area, will not run for re-election due to allegations of improprieties. [WP, NYT]