Attorney General Eric Holder Held in "Civil Contempt"

Rigell Statement on House Action to Find

Attorney General Eric Holder in Contempt

Washington/Thursday – Today Congressman Scott Rigell voted to find Attorney General Eric Holder in “civil contempt” for withholding documents from Congress in relation to the Fast and Furious program that resulted in the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. The Congressman voted against finding Mr. Holder in “criminal contempt.” Rigell released the following statement on Thursday afternoon:

“In the wisdom of our Founding Fathers, there is built-in tension among the three branches of our federal government. This tension was reflected in two votes that came to the House floor this afternoon.

“I believe in progressive discipline. Accordingly, and after a careful review of the facts, I voted against a bill to hold the Attorney General in criminal contempt of Congress. Later, I voted for a bill that authorizes the Oversight Committee to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings and force the Attorney General to comply with what are very reasonable oversight requests from this Congress.

“In my view, the Attorney General has not served the President or the American people well. I believe he should resign. I am intent on pursuing the facts and gaining a full understanding of the Administration’s handling of the events leading to the Fast and Furious program, and as importantly, the conduct of the Administration in the months that followed.”