The House takes action on the Clintons
By Easton Martin | January 23, 2026
A House oversight panel has voted to advance contempt of Congress proceedings against former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, continuing a long running dispute over congressional subpoenas tied to an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and related matters.
Republican lawmakers on the committee say both Clintons were lawfully subpoenaed to provide testimony and failed to appear for scheduled depositions. Committee leadership argues that voluntary interviews or informal discussions are insufficient and that compliance with formal congressional process is essential for oversight authority to have meaning.
Democrats on the panel criticized the vote, claiming it was “politically motivated”. The contempt vote itself does not carry legal consequences. The next step is a vote by the full House of Representatives. If the House approves the contempt resolutions by a simple majority, the matter would be referred to the Department of Justice.
From there, the Justice Department would decide whether to pursue criminal contempt charges, a misdemeanor offense that carries potential fines or jail time.
Historically, the department has been selective in acting on congressional referrals, particularly when disputes involve separation of powers or politically sensitive figures.
