President Obama is refusing to turn over documents requested by a House panel on the Fast and Furious gun smuggling probe, citing executive privilege.

The botched operation resulted in illicitly purchased guns ending up at crime scenes in Mexico.

The committee said it would still proceed on the resolution to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress.

Ordinarily such documents are off-limits to Congress. But the Justice Department incorrectly denied their agents were involved, providing the basis for lawmakers to demand them.

Holder and Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., met Tuesday but failed to reach an agreement on the documents requested. Issa said they have no choice now but to move forward with the contempt vote.