Senate panel votes 8-5 to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress
What's next: The referral is headed to the Justice Department, testing whether Attorney General Todd Blanche pursues the case.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-5 to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment rather than answer questions at a hearing. Republicans on the panel argued Fauci had to respond, pointing to a pardon from then-President Joe Biden. Fauci declined each question with the same 21-word response on advice of counsel, according to the hearing account cited by Fox News. Democrats warned the move would not force testimony and could weaken future congressional oversight. Chair Rand Paul said the committee would take the referral directly to the Justice Department and federal court in Washington.