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Senate Committee Votes to Hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in Contempt of Congress
Just the facts
The Senate Homeland Security Committee voted 8 to 5 along party lines to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. Committee Chairman Rand Paul subsequently referred the contempt resolution directly to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution, arguing that a prior federal pardon does not exempt a witness from answering legislative inquiries. Committee Democrats opposed the measure, maintaining that criminal referrals undermine congressional oversight standards and set a problematic legal precedent. Defense counsel for Fauci characterized the vote as a political action against a former public official who exercised constitutional rights.
Why this is news
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee convened after Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment privilege 111 times during a subpoenaed hearing on COVID-19 origins. Committee Chairman Rand Paul called for formal congressional action in response to the testimony.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.