WASHINGTON — The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-5 along party lines Thursday to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress, after the former public health official refused to answer questions during an appearance before the panel.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. said Fauci had a simple path to avoiding the vote. "All he had to do was tell the truth," Scott said, adding that Fauci "deserves to be held accountable for putting fame ahead of human lives."
Scott rejected the notion that the contempt push was retribution, saying his goal was to get answers for the public.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. said Americans deserved clarity about the COVID-19 pandemic and that Fauci was not being scapegoated. "All he had to do was tell the truth," Paul said.
Ashley Moody, who also voted to advance the resolution, said Fauci "refused to tell the American people the truth."
A committee contempt finding typically goes to the full Senate for a vote. If the Senate affirms it, the body can pursue enforcement — including a referral to the Justice Department for potential criminal prosecution or filing a civil lawsuit.
