Senate Republicans Vote to Hold Fauci in Contempt Over Fifth Amendment Refusals

Senate Republicans on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-5 along party lines to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights more than 100 times during a hearing last week.

Chairman Cites Prior Pardon

Committee Chairman Rand Paul argued Fauci could not claim Fifth Amendment protection since he received a broad pardon from former President Joe Biden before leaving office. Paul said he ordered Fauci to answer questions and warned him about contempt, calling his continued refusal obstruction of a congressional investigation. The committee plans to refer the resolution directly to the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

Democrats and Fauci’s Lawyer Push Back

Democratic Senator Gary Peters warned the vote sets a damaging precedent that could discourage future witnesses from testifying. Fauci’s attorney, David Schertler, called the vote a political stunt targeting a public servant for exercising constitutional rights. Any full Senate vote would likely fall short of the 60-vote threshold needed to pass.