Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton are facing a stern rebuke from the Republican-led House Oversight Committee, which has held them in contempt of Congress over their refusal to testify about their association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Clintons were subpoenaed to provide depositions on Epstein's alleged sex-trafficking network, but their lawyer claimed they would not comply. This move has sparked outrage among lawmakers, who are determined to hold those connected to Epstein accountable for their crimes. The House Oversight Committee voted 34-8 in favor of holding Bill Clinton in contempt and 23-15 for his wife, with Democrats contributing to the resolutions.
The committee's chairman, Rep. James Comer, claims that the Clintons' refusal to cooperate is a clear case of contempt of Congress, citing laws that require individuals to appear before congressional committees under subpoena. The Clintons have responded by arguing that the subpoenas they received were invalid and would result in their imprisonment, claiming it's an "attempt to punish enemies and protect friends."
The committee has now referred the issue to the House floor, where a vote is likely to take place within two weeks. If convicted of contempt, Bill Clinton could face fines up to $100,000 and up to 12 months in prison, while Hillary Clinton may also face similar penalties.
Lawmakers are using this opportunity to call for transparency and accountability from those connected to Epstein's crimes. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, has expressed support for holding anyone connected to Epstein accountable, stating that survivors deserve justice.
This move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing investigation into Epstein's crimes and his associates' connections to high-profile figures like Bill Clinton. The full extent of the Clintons' involvement with Epstein is still unclear, but their refusal to cooperate with congressional inquiries has raised eyebrows among lawmakers and the public alike.
The Clintons were subpoenaed to provide depositions on Epstein's alleged sex-trafficking network, but their lawyer claimed they would not comply. This move has sparked outrage among lawmakers, who are determined to hold those connected to Epstein accountable for their crimes. The House Oversight Committee voted 34-8 in favor of holding Bill Clinton in contempt and 23-15 for his wife, with Democrats contributing to the resolutions.
The committee's chairman, Rep. James Comer, claims that the Clintons' refusal to cooperate is a clear case of contempt of Congress, citing laws that require individuals to appear before congressional committees under subpoena. The Clintons have responded by arguing that the subpoenas they received were invalid and would result in their imprisonment, claiming it's an "attempt to punish enemies and protect friends."
The committee has now referred the issue to the House floor, where a vote is likely to take place within two weeks. If convicted of contempt, Bill Clinton could face fines up to $100,000 and up to 12 months in prison, while Hillary Clinton may also face similar penalties.
Lawmakers are using this opportunity to call for transparency and accountability from those connected to Epstein's crimes. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, has expressed support for holding anyone connected to Epstein accountable, stating that survivors deserve justice.
This move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing investigation into Epstein's crimes and his associates' connections to high-profile figures like Bill Clinton. The full extent of the Clintons' involvement with Epstein is still unclear, but their refusal to cooperate with congressional inquiries has raised eyebrows among lawmakers and the public alike.