politics

Senate committee votes to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress, seeking to bypass floor vote with DOJ referral

Updated on: August 6, 2026 / 8:15 PM EDT / CBS News

Senate committee votes to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress, seeking to bypass floor vote with DOJ referral

TL;DR

  • The Senate Homeland Security Committee voted 8-5 to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress.
  • The vote occurred after Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to all questions during testimony on COVID-19 origins.
  • Committee Chairman Rand Paul plans to send the contempt resolution directly to the Justice Department.
  • Fauci's attorney criticized the vote as a political stunt and an abuse of power by Senator Paul.
  • Democrats opposed the resolution, arguing it sets a damaging precedent and is part of a personal vendetta.