House passes Holder contempt resolutions


The U.S. House of Representatives voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in criminal and civil contempt today with  a majority of Democrats walking out on the vote as a sign of solidarity for the embattled Attorney General.

The vote came late Thursday afternoon after several hours of seemingly never-ending, heated partisan debate that included speeches from Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio), Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC), House Oversight Committee Chair Darrell Issa (R-Calif) and Oversight Committee Ranking member Elijah Cummings (D-Md.).

Of the 255 members of Congress voting for the criminal contempt measure 17 were Democrats. Two Republicans, Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) and Scott Riggell (R-Va.), voted against the measure. With the blessing of Minority leader Pelosi, 108 Democrats walked out on the vote.

Democrats voting for the contempt resolution were: Jason Altmire (D-Pa.), John Borrow (D-Ga.), Dan Boren (D-Okla.), Tom Boswell (D-Iowa), Mark Critz (D-Pa.), Ron Kind (D-Wisc.), Jim Matheson (D-Utah), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Bill Owens (D-NY), Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), Nick Rahall (D-WV), Mike Ross (D-Ark.) and Tim Walz (D-Minn.). Not coincidentally, all of the Democratic members of Congress who voted for the contempt vote face tough reelection races this fall.

In the vote to hold the AG in civil contempt, 258 members voter to hold Holder in contempt with 95 members voting against. In that vote 21 Democrats joined the GOP in voting for the contempt resolution, and 70 Democrats walked out. The passage of the civil contempt resolution will allow Congress to take Holder to federal court for initially lying about the operation that resulted in the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry in 2010. Congress is likely to follow through on court action.

In response to the criminal contempt vote Holder said at a press conference in New Orleans, ”Today’s vote is the regrettable culmination of what became a misguided and politically motivated investigation during an election year.

“Instead of trying to correct the problems that lead to a series of flawed law enforcement operations, and instead of helping us find ways to better protect the brave law enforcement agents like Agent Brian Terry, they have lead us to this unnecessary and unwarranted outcome.”

It’s unclear why Holder held his press conference from New Orleans. Previously, the AG was in Florida to speak at League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) during a convention at a Disneyworld Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

 

By /// June 28, 2012
Francesca Chambers About Francesca Chambers

Francesca is the Editor of Red Alert Politics - an online publication written by and for young conservatives. Red Alert Politics is a product of Clarity Media Group, the parent company of The Washington Examiner and The Weekly Standard. She is also a contributor to The Washington Examiner.

Francesca is a veteran of several political campaigns and political organizations. She has also worked in new media and communications at The Leadership Institute, at the Republican National Committee and on Capitol Hill. She has been featured as a speaker at Leadership Institute, Cato Institute, Americans for Prosperity's "Defending the American Dream Summit," the State Policy Network's annual conference and CPAC, in addition to appearing as a regular guest on the "Big Picture" with Thom Hartmann on Russia Today.

She has also appeared on ABC's "Nightline", PBS' 'NewsHour', PBS' "To the Contrary", MSNBC, CNN, on TheBlazeTV (aka Glenn Beck TV) and had radio segments on Take Action News with David Shuster, NPR and "The Michael Koolidge Show."

In 2012 she was named to the DC GOP's first ever "35 under 35" list.

Francesca graduated from the University of Kansas with BAs in Political Science and Journalism. At KU she was an editor of the University Daily Kansan and an active member of Student Senate.

Comments

  1. Adam says:
    December 20, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    I might also like to mention that most individuals who find themselves without the need of health insurance are usually students, self-employed and those that are jobless.
    More than half in the uninsured are really under the
    age of Thirty-five. They do not sense they are
    requiring health insurance because they are young plus healthy.
    Their income is generally spent on housing, food, as well
    as entertainment. A lot of people that do go to work either entire or
    not professional are not presented insurance via their work
    so they go without with the rising valuation on health insurance in america.
    Thanks for the thoughts you discuss through this blog.

    Reply
  2. Joey says:
    February 24, 2013 at 7:54 pm

    great post, very informative. I ponder why the opposite specialists of this sector do not understand this.

    You must proceed your writing. I’m sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!

    Reply

Speak Your Mind

*