US Senate to hold Dr. Fauci in contempt of Congress

The US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs votes to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress and refers him to the Justice Department for potential prosecution over his refusal to answer questions at a hearing last week focused on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The vote comes a week after Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times when he appeared before the panel.

Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, the committee chairman, has said constitutional protection did not apply since Fauci last year received a pardon from Democratic President Joe Biden and thus did not have to worry about the threat of prosecution.

Fauci and Democrats who opposed the contempt resolution say he had a well-founded fear of self-incrimination given a public desire by Republicans to seek his prosecution.