House Oversight Committee Sends Clinton Contempt Resolutions to Full House, DOJ Referral Looms

Updated 2026-01-22 03:17:03+00:00 (5 articles)

Committee votes show bipartisan support for contempt measures On January 21, the Republican‑led House Oversight Committee approved contempt resolutions against former President Bill Clinton (34‑8) and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (28‑15), with nine Democrats joining Republicans on the Bill Clinton vote and three on the Hillary Clinton vote[2][1]. The vote follows a similar tally reported by the BBC on January 22, confirming the same partisan split[1]. CNN also noted the Democratic split, emphasizing that fewer Democrats backed the Hillary Clinton measure[3].

Full House consideration could trigger Justice Department action Speaker Mike Johnson publicly pledged to bring the contempt resolutions to the full House floor, aligning with the committee’s recommendation[3]. If the full chamber approves, the measures will be referred to the Justice Department, which may decide whether to pursue misdemeanor charges carrying up to $100,000 in fines and one year of imprisonment[1]. The outcome remains uncertain due to intra‑party divisions highlighted by Newsweek[2].

Clinton attorneys argue subpoenas lack legal basis and offer limited interview The Clintons’ lawyers described the subpoenas as politically motivated, claiming they already supplied all available Epstein information and that the subpoenas lack a valid legislative purpose[1]. They proposed a limited interview with committee leaders, later suggesting staff could attend, but the committee rejected the offer, leading to the contempt vote[3]. The attorneys maintain the couple will cooperate only within appropriate bounds[2].

Justice Department releases decades‑old Epstein photos, Clinton spokesman responds The DOJ disclosed photographs of Bill Clinton with Jeffrey Epstein from the 1990s, including estate and pool images[1]. Clinton’s spokesperson characterized the pictures as old and asserted that Clinton ended any association with Epstein before the latter’s criminal conduct became public[1]. The release intensifies scrutiny of the Clintons’ past connections amid the congressional probe.

Redacted Epstein files and upcoming Maxwell deposition keep investigation momentum Officials confirm that millions of Epstein‑related documents remain unreleased and heavily redacted, hindering full congressional review[1]. The committee scheduled Ghislaine Maxwell for a closed‑door deposition on February 9, expecting her to invoke Fifth Amendment protections[3]. These actions aim to fill accountability gaps identified in the investigation’s scope[2].

Sources

Timeline

August 2025 – The Republican‑led House Oversight Committee issues subpoenas to former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, demanding depositions in the bipartisan Jeffrey Epstein investigation [3].

Aug 2025 – Jan 2026 – The committee and the Clintons negotiate for five months; the Clintons propose a limited interview that stalls, while the panel insists on a full, on‑record deposition [3][4].

Jan 13, 2026 – Bill and Hillary Clinton refuse to appear for the congressional inquiry, prompting Chairman James Comer to warn of contempt; the Justice Department releases photos of Bill Clinton with Epstein and Maxwell, and spokesperson Angel Ureña says “the photos are decades old and Clinton stopped associating with Epstein before his crimes came to light” [4][1].

Jan 14, 2026 – Hillary Clinton skips a scheduled deposition, triggering formal contempt proceedings; Comer announces the committee will vote on contempt next week, and Speaker Mike Johnson says he will bring the matter to a full House vote if approved [3][2].

Jan 21, 2026 – The Oversight Committee advances bipartisan contempt resolutions, passing the Bill Clinton measure 34‑8 (with nine Democrats joining Republicans) and the Hillary Clinton measure 28‑15 (with three Democrats joining); Johnson pledges a floor vote, and the panel sets Ghislaine Maxwell’s closed‑door deposition for Feb 9, where she is expected to invoke the Fifth Amendment [5][2]; Attorney General Pam Bondi is scheduled to testify before the Judiciary Committee in February, and the committee notes that no former president has ever been compelled to testify before Congress [5].

Jan 22, 2026 – The committee votes to hold both Clintons in contempt, defining the offenses as misdemeanors punishable by up to $100,000 and one year in jail; if the full House approves, the matter moves to the Justice Department for possible prosecution [1]; Clinton lawyers argue the subpoenas lack a valid legislative purpose and are unenforceable, while the DOJ confirms that most Epstein‑related files remain unreleased and heavily redacted [1].

Feb 9, 2026 (planned) – Ghislaine Maxwell appears for a closed‑door deposition before the Oversight Committee, expected to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights and decline to answer questions [2].

Feb 2026 (planned) – Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the House Judiciary Committee, adding to the broader push for testimony in the Epstein probe [5].

Future (pending) – The full House considers the contempt resolutions; a vote could trigger a Justice Department referral and criminal prosecution of the Clintons, potentially setting a historic precedent for compelling a former president to testify [1][5].