Wednesday, June 20, 2012

House Oversight Committee Holds US Attorney General Eric Holder in Contempt



A year-and-a-half long investigation into a botched gun trafficking program culminated Wednesday with the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee holding Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress. - CBS

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted along party lines to pass a resolution holding the attorney general in contempt for withholding documents pertaining to Operation Fast and Furious.

The vote went forward despite intervention by President Obama, who invoked executive privilege, which protects the Justice Department from handing over documents, even though a subpoena has been issued.

For Holder to be held in contempt, the full House of Representatives must approve the committee's resolution, which, according to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio., and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., the vote will take place next week.

"While we had hoped it would not come to this, unless the Attorney General reevaluates his choice and supplies the promised documents, the House will vote to hold him in contempt next week," the Republican leaders said in a statement. "If, however, Attorney General Holder produces these documents prior to the scheduled vote, we will give the Oversight Committee an opportunity to review in hopes of resolving this issue."

BOOM: HOUSE COMMITTEE HOLDS HOLDER IN CONTEMPT - Breitbart News (image source)

Issa Statement on Committee Approval of Fast and Furious Contempt Report - oversight.house.gov