Lots of folks aren't understanding what's involved in Congress referring for criminal contempt. So here's a thread from Jan 6th Committee chair Bennie Thompson's statement on referring Steve Bannon to DOJ
Everyone should read these words:
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Everyone should read these words:
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"Any person who willfully refuses to provide testimony or documents subpoenaed by Congress..is potentially liable for contempt of Congress under 2 U.S.C. §§ 192, 194. Contempt of Congress is a crime that may result in a fine and between one and twelve months imprisonment.
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"Contempt of Congress begins with a “formal action” by the Select Committee, i.e., a business meeting at which a contempt report is adopted. If a witness fails to appear, produce documents, or refuses to answer any question “pertinent to the question under inquiry,”
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"the Select Committee then writes a report documenting the inquiry, the attempts to accommodate the witness’s production or testimony, and the failure by the witness to appear, produce, or answer a pertinent question.
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"The report also contains the text of the resolution recommending the full House hold the witness in contempt.
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"After the Select Committee has adopted a contempt report, it is referred to the House for a vote and, upon its adoption, the Speaker certifies the report to the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.
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"Under 2 U.S.C. § 194, following such certification it is the “duty” of the United States Attorney to “bring the matter before the grand jury for its action.”
**Per rules of Congress a 3 day waiting period must be enforced between notification of said vote & the actual vote..
**Per rules of Congress a 3 day waiting period must be enforced between notification of said vote & the actual vote..
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