The House Oversight Committee on Wednesday approved contempt of Congress resolutions against former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after both declined to testify in person as part of the committee’s investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The resolutions now move to the full House for consideration.
The votes marked a rare and politically charged escalation involving two former high-ranking public officials. If the full House approves the contempt resolutions and the Justice Department pursues the matter, a conviction for criminal contempt of Congress could carry penalties of up to one year in prison and fines of as much as $100,000.
The committee voted separately on each Clinton. Nine Democrats joined all Republicans in approving the contempt resolution against former President Clinton, while two lawmakers voted present. In the vote concerning Hillary Clinton, only three Democrats supported the resolution.
Dispute Over Testimony
The contempt votes stem from a prolonged dispute over how the Clintons would respond to subpoenas issued by the committee. Both provided sworn written statements in response to the subpoenas, a step that the committee accepted from seven other individuals involved in the inquiry. However, Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., rejected the Clintons’ written statements and insisted they appear in person to testify under oath.
Comer said the Clintons’ personal connection to Epstein justified a higher level of scrutiny than that applied to other witnesses. He argued that written statements were insufficient to address the committee’s concerns.
“The Clintons’ testimony is critical to understanding Epstein’s sex trafficking network and the ways he sought to curry favor and influence to shield himself from scrutiny,” Comer said in prepared remarks as the committee convened. “Their testimony may also inform how Congress can strengthen laws to better combat human trafficking.”
Comer also accused the Clintons of attempting to delay the process. During the meeting, he suggested they were stalling in hopes that control of the House would shift to Democrats, saying they expected that “you all let them off the hook,” referring to Democratic members of the committee.
Clintons’ Objections
The Clintons and their legal team have pushed back against Comer’s demands, arguing they were being treated differently from other subpoenaed witnesses. They said the committee had already received sworn testimony from them and that Comer’s insistence on in-person appearances represented an inconsistent standard.
According to the Clintons, negotiations broke down in part over procedural concerns. Comer said he objected to conditions allegedly proposed by the Clintons, including limitations on the use of a transcript. The Clintons denied that claim, stating they had never ruled out the creation of a transcript of any interview.
Their legal team also noted that requiring a former president to appear in person under oath before a congressional committee would be unprecedented. According to The New York Times, the Clintons’ lawyers said this would be the first time in U.S. history that a former president sat for in-person sworn testimony to assist a congressional investigation.
The couple offered to discuss matters they said were within the committee’s legislative scope, including issues directly related to the Epstein investigation. They raised concerns that a full committee appearance without topic limits could lead to questioning unrelated to potential legislation. Comer rejected that proposal, insisting the Clintons testify before the entire committee with no restrictions on subjects members could raise.
Hillary Clinton Subpoena Questioned
The subpoena issued to Hillary Clinton drew particular criticism from the Clintons’ team. Hillary Clinton has said she never met Epstein, and her representatives questioned the relevance of compelling her testimony.
The family argued that her subpoena was used as leverage to pressure her husband into appearing in person. “Republicans might want to think twice about making family fair game,” said Angel Ureña, spokesperson for former President Clinton.
Clinton–Epstein Connections
The committee’s investigation centers on Epstein’s network and his relationships with powerful figures. The Clintons have repeatedly called for the Department of Justice to release all files related to Epstein, including any that reference former President Clinton.
The Department of Justice has released several images showing Clinton with Epstein or with Epstein’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Former President Clinton also took four international trips on Epstein’s private jet in 2002 and 2003. The Clintons have said they never visited Epstein’s private island.
As the contempt resolutions head to the full House, it remains uncertain whether they will be approved and whether the Justice Department would pursue prosecution. The outcome could shape not only the committee’s Epstein inquiry but also broader debates over congressional subpoena power and how it applies to former presidents and their families.
Tags:
National