As announced in Wilkinson v. United States,[7] a Congressional committee must meet three requirements for its subpoenas to be "legally sufficient." First, the committee's investigation of the broad subject area must be authorized by its chamber; second, the investigation must pursue "a valid legislative purpose" but does not need to involve legislation and does not need to specify the ultimate intent of Congress; and third, the specific inquiries must be pertinent to the subject matter area that has been authorized for investigation.
as in the constitution it requires the House not a committee to authorize the investigation. Chamber = whole house or whole senate.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_Congress
I saw a similar post (perhaps also yours) yesterday. It was a little vague on first reading, but on second reading, I take that to say that the investigation being authorized by the chamber must have a declared ‘area’, ie a charge, and not be an open ended fishing expedition. Is that a correct reading?
None of the standing rules of the House delegates any impeachment power. Technically, that power is still dormant in the house. Four house members are gone rogue with the house, and one of them is the speaker!