U.S. House finds Attorney General Holder in contempt
- 12 years ago
The Republican controlled House of Representatives found U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress Thursday as the nation's top law enforcement official was sanctioned for for withholding some documents related to a failed gun-running probe called fast and furious.
The mostly partisan vote of 255-67 marked the first time a sitting attorney general and presidential Cabinet member was cited for contempt by the full House.
Many Democrats refused to cast votes, and Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi led dozens of her colleagues in a walkout from the
House floor in protest.
Holder said it was politically motivated.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER SAYING:
"Today's vote is the regrettable culmination of what became a misguided and politically motivated investigation during an election year."
The fight over the Obama administration documents revolves around "Operation Fast and Furious," a federal law enforcement
program intended to track weapons sold in Arizona that were suspected of being transported to Mexico for use by violent drug
cartels.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
The mostly partisan vote of 255-67 marked the first time a sitting attorney general and presidential Cabinet member was cited for contempt by the full House.
Many Democrats refused to cast votes, and Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi led dozens of her colleagues in a walkout from the
House floor in protest.
Holder said it was politically motivated.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER SAYING:
"Today's vote is the regrettable culmination of what became a misguided and politically motivated investigation during an election year."
The fight over the Obama administration documents revolves around "Operation Fast and Furious," a federal law enforcement
program intended to track weapons sold in Arizona that were suspected of being transported to Mexico for use by violent drug
cartels.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters