Senate Committee Votes to Hold Fauci in Contempt
3 hours ago
A Senate committee has voted along party lines to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right and declined to answer questions during a hearing on the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The vote refers the matter to the Justice Department for possible investigation into whether Fauci properly asserted his constitutional protections. Any decision to investigate or prosecute now rests with federal prosecutors, and a congressional referral does not require the Justice Department to take action.
Democrats have questioned whether the referral is legally valid without a vote of the full Senate, setting up a likely legal and political battle over the next steps.
The vote refers the matter to the Justice Department for possible investigation into whether Fauci properly asserted his constitutional protections. Any decision to investigate or prosecute now rests with federal prosecutors, and a congressional referral does not require the Justice Department to take action.
Democrats have questioned whether the referral is legally valid without a vote of the full Senate, setting up a likely legal and political battle over the next steps.
