At a Glance
- The House Oversight Committee approved contempt of Congress charges against Bill and Hillary Clinton
- Some Democrats broke ranks, with nine supporting contempt for Bill Clinton and three for Hillary Clinton
- The Clntons offered to testify in New York but Chairman James Comer rejected the proposal
- Why it matters: This could mark the first time a former president faces congressional contempt charges
The House Oversight Committee voted Wednesday to advance contempt of Congress resolutions against former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for defying subpoenas related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
In a rare bipartisan move, several Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measures. The committee approved the contempt charges in votes that saw nine Democrats support the measure against Bill Clinton and three Democrats – Reps. Summer Lee, Melanie Stansbury and Rashida Tlaib – back the resolution against Hillary Clinton.
The Subpoena Dispute
The Clntons have been locked in negotiations with committee leadership for months over their testimony. Their attorney, David Kendall, has offered various compromises, including:
- Having Bill Clinton interviewed in New York with committee leadership and staff
- Testifying on Christmas or Christmas Eve
- Providing written declarations about their interactions with Epstein
Chairman James Comer rejected the New York interview proposal Tuesday, insisting that any testimony must include an official transcript. He has maintained that only a transcribed deposition will satisfy the committee’s subpoena.
“No witness, not a former president or a private citizen, may willfully defy a congressional subpoena without consequence. But that is what the Clntons did and that is why we are here,” Comer said during Wednesday’s session.
What Lawmakers Want to Know
The investigation focuses on Epstein’s connections to powerful figures, including both Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. Neither has been accused of wrongdoing, but lawmakers are seeking clarity on their relationships with the financier.
Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial, had donated to Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign and Hillary Clinton’s 2000 Senate fundraising committee. According to Clinton spokesman Angel Ureña, “both Clntons have been out of office for over a decade. Neither had anything to do with him for more than 20 years.”
Democratic Strategy
Rather than defending the Clntons, Democrats have largely focused on broader transparency in the Epstein investigation. They’ve criticized Comer for concentrating on the Clntons while the Justice Department has missed a deadline to release Epstein case files.
Rep. Robert Garcia, the committee’s top Democrat, stated: “No president or former president is above the law.” Democrats attempted to modify the contempt resolution, proposing to:
- Exempt Hillary Clinton due to her limited interaction with Epstein
- Reduce the contempt charge from criminal to civil
The committee has also subpoenaed Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate, though Comer initially declined to press for her testimony after her attorney indicated she would invoke Fifth Amendment rights. He now says the committee will interview Maxwell next month.
Historical Context
Contempt of Congress proceedings are rarely used, typically reserved for high-profile investigations. Recent examples include:
- Trump advisers Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon, who were convicted and imprisoned for defying Jan. 6 committee subpoenas
- The Jan. 6 committee’s withdrawn subpoena of Trump himself
No former president has ever been successfully compelled to appear before Congress, though some have testified voluntarily. If the full House approves the contempt resolution, the Clntons could face substantial fines or even incarceration.
Next Steps
The contempt resolutions now head to the full House, where passage requires a majority vote. Republicans have struggled to achieve such majorities recently, making final approval uncertain.
The Clntons continue seeking a negotiated resolution while maintaining that the subpoenas lack legislative purpose. Comer has given them “two weeks until this bill is on the floor,” setting up a potential showdown in early February.
Attorney General Pam Bondi is scheduled to appear before the House Judiciary Committee in February, adding another layer to Congress’s ongoing Epstein investigation.
