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US House panel votes to hold Clintons in contempt over Epstein subpoenas

January 22, 2026

A Republican-controlled House committee has voted to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas related to an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The contempt measure, which received some Democratic support, will proceed to a full House vote and could be referred to the Justice Department if approved. The Clintons' legal team argued the subpoenas were politically motivated and unenforceable, claiming they had already shared all relevant information about Epstein.

Who is affected

  • Former President Bill Clinton
  • Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
  • The House Oversight Committee and its members
  • The Democratic representatives who voted with Republicans (nine for Bill Clinton's contempt, three for Hillary Clinton's contempt)
  • Committee Chairman James Comer
  • The Department of Justice (if the matter is referred to them)

What action is being taken

  • The House Oversight Committee is voting to hold both Clintons in contempt of Congress
  • The contempt measure is being sent to the full House of Representatives for a vote
  • The Justice Department is releasing materials related to Epstein investigations following a congressional law

Why it matters

  • This case tests the limits of congressional oversight authority and the principle of equal application of the law to prominent political figures. The contempt proceedings represent a significant escalation in congressional investigations into the Epstein scandal, potentially setting precedent for how former high-ranking officials respond to subpoenas. The bipartisan support for at least some aspects of the contempt measure demonstrates the seriousness with which some lawmakers view compliance with congressional investigations, regardless of political affiliation.

What's next

  • The contempt measure will go to the full House of Representatives for a vote
  • If the full House approves, the matter will be referred to the Department of Justice
  • The Department of Justice would then decide whether to prosecute the charges
  • Millions of additional documents related to Epstein investigations have yet to be released as required by law

Read full article from source: BBC