Republican attempt to cite Fauci for contempt stalls amid paperwork blunder
Republican lawmakers led by Rand Paul tried to charge Dr. Anthony Fauci with contempt after his Senate testimony, but a paperwork error halted the move.
A bloc of Republican legislators—including Rand Paul, Ron Johnson, Roger Marshall, Brad Wenstrup, James Comer, Jim Jordan and Josh Hawley—pushed for a contempt of Congress charge against former NIH director Dr. Anthony Fauci after he answered every question by invoking the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing. Paul’s resolution passed on a party-line vote and was sent to Vice President JD Vance for certification so the Justice Department could consider prosecution.
Reports indicate Vance’s office never obtained the certification paperwork, and the Justice Department has not received a formal referral. Three weeks after the vote, the contempt effort remains stalled, with doubts about the administration’s willingness to act. President Donald Trump has not indicated the case is a high priority. The episode underscores how procedural missteps can impede partisan legal strategies.
Why it matters
It illustrates how procedural glitches can derail partisan attempts to pursue legal action against prominent officials.
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