Senate committee votes to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress: Here is why

By Easton Martin | August 6, 2026

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted on Thursday to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress following the showdown over his refusal to answer questions during a recent hearing.

The committee approved the resolution in an 8-5 party-line vote led by Chairman Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who has repeatedly confronted the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases over the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and the federal response.

The resolution stems from the July 29 hearing during which Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times. Fauci delivered an opening statement accusing Paul of conducting a “political campaign” aimed at entangling him in legal jeopardy. He cited previous statements by Paul calling for his imprisonment as the primary reason for choosing to remain silent on the advice of his legal team.

Republicans on the panel argued that Fauci lacked a valid legal basis to claim Fifth Amendment protection. They pointed to a sweeping presidential pardon issued by former President Joe Biden which covered federal conduct during his tenure in public office. According to Paul and panel Republicans, the pardon eliminated any risk of federal prosecution, rendering his refusal to answer questions invalid.