Posted on 06/28/2012 2:01:33 PM PDT by Hunton Peck
The Republican-controlled House on Thursday voted 255 to 67 to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress, a historic and divisive election-year action that GOP leaders cast deadly serious and Democratic leaders dismiss as petty politics.
The unprecedented House censure of a sitting attorney general -- the Obama administration’s top lawyer – over Holder’s refusal to release internal documents tied to a botched gun-trafficking investigation saw both sides dig in. The White House asserted this week the documents are protected by executive privilege. Republicans pressed an emotional trump card that guns that slipped into the hands of drug cartels in the “Fast and Furious” operation have been linked to the deaths of a Border Patrol Agent, and hundreds of Mexicans, and the subpoenaed material would shed light about department actions in its aftermath.
The vote fell almost entirely along party lines, with just 17 Democratic defections and two Republican ones. Racial overtones came into play in the vote, as some Black lawmakers and others walked out, refusing to participate in the action against Holder, an African American.
The immediate impact of the House’s action – beyond any political repercussions – is almost nil. What’s likely next to happen, according Republican congressional sources, is that the lead House committee in the matter, chaired by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., will file civil suit in federal court, seeking a declaratory judgment that Holder is in contempt and an injunction ordering him to comply in turning over the documents. But that action could take years to be sorted out through any appeals process. The House also has the option of referring the matter to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia for prosecution of Holder in federal court, but Republicans know the department would probably refuse to charge its own leader.
Along with the contempt resolution, the House voted Thursday to authorize the Oversight and Government Reform Committee to initiate some legal action.
Let's see
What dimocratic administration would use him? He's has been a key player in the Department of Justice since Clinton and Waco, TX. What legal firm would hire him? I can see the advertising now “Let Hookem and Howe become your legal firm. We have former Attorney General Eric Holder as a partner...”
What lobbying firm would hire him?
What school would hire him?
Oh, that's right the various arms of the LMSM would love to have him as a legal commentator!
Rep. Mica is on Fox right now. This reminds me that he was interviewed by Soledad O’Brian on CNN yesterday. I caught it real early this morning, as I was channel surfing. She was dispicable. Wanted him to respond to the Fortune article (like it was the true facts. LOL) I was quietly (couln’t wake family) screaming at the witch. Did anyone else see this? The lsm will not be honest with any of this.
So what happens now? Impeached? Forced to resign? Arrested? Double-secret probation?
Holder is on double secret probation now. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has just been granted absolute authority to mandate products and services to Americans in the form of a tax that they deem is in our best interests.
Harvard Law
Yay Team!
Wow! The House let Senators vote on this?
Sheesh...
This was a vote of the House. Snow, Collins are Senators.
It is revealing how high the abstention count was.
Black lawmakers and others walked out
It’s always f’n about race with these liberal black lawmakers. I think they should have a slush fund for psycharactic treatment for self mental abuse these black lawmakers seem to suffer from. It’s getting old fellas.
I thought you said 2 Republicans...oh, wait, you did./s
Maybe you should know Senators vs Representatives??
This was a house vote not the senate
LaTourette - Ohio 14th District
I guess boffing your office manager eventually does wilt your mind. Can’t figure out this vote?
Uh.....'Congress' refers to both houses, collectively. The upper house of Congress is the Senate, and the lower house of Congress is the House of Representatives.
House
Senate
“If he does it again, the next step will be DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION!”
On a triple dog dare!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.