Government

Rep. Issa Circulates Draft Resolution to Hold Eric Holder in Contempt of Congress

Eric Holder

AP

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) on Thursday circulated a draft copy of a resolution laying out the case to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for his “refusal to cooperate” with the investigation into Operation Fast and Furious.

“This briefing paper and draft contempt report explains the case, to both members of the committee and the American people, for holding Attorney General Holder in contempt of Congress,” Issa, chair of the House Oversight Committee, said in a statement.

A 17-page memo attached to the measure claims that for more than a year, the Department of Justice “has issued false denials, given answers intended to misdirect investigators, sought to intimidate witnesses, unlawfully withheld subpoenaed documents, and waited to be confronted with indisputable evidence before acknowledging uncomfortable facts.”

“The Justice Department’s failure to respond appropriately to the allegations of whistleblowers and to cooperate with congressional oversight has crossed the line of appropriate conduct for a government agency,” the memo states. “Congress now faces a moment of decision between exerting its full authority to compel an agency refusing to cooperate with congressional oversight or accepting a dangerous expansion of executive branch authority and unilateral action allowing agencies to set their own terms for cooperating with congressional oversight.”

The Justice Department has insisted it has cooperated with investigations led by Issa and Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee — something Issa disputed during a Thursday morning appearance on Fox News.

“We‘ve gotten to the point where it’s clear they’re not going to give us the documents,” Issa said. “They’ve sort of closed up and covered up the people they want to protect.”

According to CBS News, the House has taken contempt action against executive branch officials at least three times in the last 30 years: In 1983 over an EPA administrator’s failure to produce subpoenaed documents; in 1998 against then-Attorney General Janet Reno for not complying with a subpoena on campaign finance law violations; and in 2008 against former White House counsel Harriet Miers and Chief of Staff John Bolton for not cooperating in a probe into whether the firing of federal prosecutors was politically motivated.

Asked about the timeline for pursing action against Holder, Issa said he would work with the Justice Department if officials indicate they will cooperate further.

“If the attorney general‘s answer is we’re giving you all we’re going to give you then the drop-dead date is immediate,” Issa said.

Comments (98)

  • Gonzo
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:27pm

    Sh**t or get off the pot Issa.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Banter
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:44pm

      Holder is a murderer.
      Holder is a terrorist.
      Holder is a liar under oath.
      Holder is a free man. WTF Issa?

      Report Post » Banter  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:29pm

      If the Fed can PRINT MONEY… Issa should start PRINTING COMTEMPT CITATIONS!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • mercenary4freedom
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:30pm

      Holder is a criminal just like his boss (ofraudo). He is a murderer & will continue to defy the law as they think they are above the law. This nation has been taken over by a criminal element of FREAKS within our government. The foreign banks run the show and the $$ and they don’t care who they kill or incarcerate. Just ask the families of the OK City bombing.

      Taking Holder down can give us momentum to disasseble the corrupt obama admin.

      Report Post » mercenary4freedom  
    • Bill Rowland
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:29pm

      Finally Issa seemd to have grown some cajones. Holdup needs to be in court as the defendant for accessory to murder.
      This whole operation needs to be exposed for what it was; an operation to bypass the 2nd amendment. He and the agents from AZ should be charged, do the perp walk into jail and get lots of publicity not just for this but for Sweet Old Barack.

      OMG 2012

      Report Post »  
    • MetalPatriot
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:56pm

      I’m with ya on this one Mercenary4freedom

      Report Post » MetalPatriot  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:16pm

      @Gonzo,

      “Sh**t or get off the pot Issa.”

      LOL!

      Report Post »  
    • Jackers
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:03pm

      It’s about time… Daryl Issa has been talking the talk for over a year with very little results… Clearly, more concrete action must be taken.

      Our members of Congress need to grow spines in order to deal with this administration!

      Report Post » Jackers  
    • mamatango
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:57pm

      First we had Arms-for-Hostages, then the Oil-For-Food scandal, now we have

      Obama/Holder’s GUNS FOR DRUGS scandal!!! Where’s the press on the truth of this??? It isn’t hard to find.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEt4lnzA60M&feature=related

      What happened to the government catching the criminals, instead of Being the criminals?

      Report Post »  
  • getourcountryback
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:27pm

    It is about darn time!

    Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:15pm

      Yes it’s about time the other 1/3 of the Government exercises it’s equality let us hope the other 1/3 also shows their equality and stands up against Obama.

      Report Post »  
  • discus02
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:21pm

    Time for him to be on the other side of the bars!

    Report Post »  
    • troymac20
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 2:02pm

      Damn right….and lock up Obama too!!

      Report Post » troymac20  
    • hatchetjob
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:40pm

      I hope I can open my bottle of champagne soon!! Yippee!!!! Cheers!!!

      Report Post » hatchetjob  
    • toto
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:52pm

      Watch what Boehner and the rest do. If they don’t get this done, and continue to cower under Democratic threats to their power, I will never forgive them. This is pretty cut and dry even for those of us that don’t know what Issa knows.

      Report Post »  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:15pm

    It’s TIME FOR HOLDER TO GOTO JAIL

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:10pm

    Long past time for this to be done.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • OhSuzieQ
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:17pm

      Very, very true, Snow

      Report Post » OhSuzieQ  
    • G-WHIZ
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:19pm

      Our govt is the essence of “speedie”…took “only” [over three years] for them to figure this out.

      Report Post »  
  • kat747
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:06pm

    Or you can just wait until the entire bunch of them is charged with fraud and treason.
    Amazing that Rep. Issa is from California.

    Report Post »  
  • blackyb
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:05pm

    If people do not stand up under these lawless people, it will be much harder later on, if not impossible. You will see no Justice from Eric Holder that is constitutional, it will be a twisted version. He does not know or care about anything but the leftist agenda. Fire him.

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • moreteaplease
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:04pm

    Asked about the timeline for pursing action against Holder, Issa said he would work with the Justice Department if officials indicate they will cooperate further.

    “If the attorney general‘s answer is we’re giving you all we’re going to give you then the drop-dead date is immediate,” Issa said.
    ————————————————
    Issa looked good coming out of the gate but lost steam in the first turn and never recovered.

    Report Post » moreteaplease  
  • countryfirst
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:52pm

    This is just a waste of time and money, thinking you will eliminating the infestation when you kill the one visible roach, knowing there are thousands hiding in the walls.

    Report Post » countryfirst  
    • Rayblue
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:42pm

      I look at this more like an ant taking the one speck of poison back to the queen.
      But analogies aside, it’s a start on a key figure.

      Report Post » Rayblue  
  • huey6367
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:51pm

    I would hope that this is the beginning of the dismantling of the Obama administration. But it is so close to the end of the first term that I don’t think anything will happen.

    Report Post »  
  • FromSeaToSea
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:49pm

    Holder is the domestic terrorist. The terrorist’s are in power. It’s time to recognize evil as evil. Obama is a terrorist. Review your Constitution. We have terrorist by executive order with pens destroying America.

    “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.” Benjamin Franklin

    “It is the DUTY of the Patriot to protect his country from ITS government.” Thomas Payne

    Report Post »  
  • Watcher1952
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:48pm

    Yea for Mr. Issa….. Eric Holder gives all the airs of hiding stuff….he doesn’t want things to come to light….wonder why…is he protecting someone. We know he refuses to prosecute “his people”…..he needs to do some behind bars time if found guilty….. with a guy named Bubba

    Report Post »  
  • Coded-Dude
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:47pm

    I was looking for a copy to read. Thank you Blaze! Hopefully we can put some of these corrupt administration officials behind bars for their treasonous acts.

    Report Post » Coded-Dude  
  • snrar
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:46pm

    ISSA just do it why threaten over and over again , Nothing will come of it if this contempt charge has no teeth to back it up . What is Holder hiding ? We will never find out it seems to me the way things are going .

    Report Post »  
    • macpappy
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:00pm

      The teeth in a contempt charge from the House is with the Department Of Justice. That is who enforces the contempt charge. So, this is a dog and pony show and Mr. Issa knows that.

      Report Post » macpappy  
  • Infidel49
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:42pm

    What will be the outcome, nothing.

    Report Post » Infidel49  
    • RLTW
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:05pm

      I hope you’re wrong, but I fear you’re right although prison should be where they all end up.

      Report Post »  
  • Drum Man
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:39pm

    Holder should already BE in prison. With Barry right next to him.

    Report Post » Drum Man  
  • CatB
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:32pm

    About D*MN TIME!

    Report Post »  
  • HKS
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:27pm

    This guy needs some disciplinary action administered. He’s guilty of so many constitutional violations that he should be deported.

    Report Post » HKS  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:27pm

    nothing will happen to the regimes head man, he will just continue to lie,cheat and bullsh*t his way until the commies get everything they want and the number one thing is our guns, had this been the bush administration,they would had them tried for treason, the whole group of them from the congress to the president should be held for treason, but it will never happen and they will continue to lie,cheat and steal the freedoms and money of the american people,until they have complete control,then and only then can they start their new world order,where everyone will eat rainbow stew and have unicorns as pets and whip their butts with 100 dollar bills, o yeah,that is the ows dream.

    Report Post »  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:40pm

      2013 you’ll see a large number of Obama aminstration leaving the country to avoid the warrants. What they did with the DOJ isn‘t just criminal it’s treasonist.

      Report Post »  
  • macpappy
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:25pm

    Means nothing. A contempt charge from the house would be enforced by, wait for it…..the Justice Dept. of which Holder is head of.
    So, Mr. Issa what good does this do? Why not charge him and impeach his ass? Because that would not serve the Progressive agenda would it?

    Report Post » macpappy  
  • glockrussman
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:24pm

    Eric Holder is a real bad person
    You have to read: Blame it on the Black Man at http://www.killingusbydegrees.com

    Report Post »  
  • SpeckledPup
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:23pm

    everyone who signs it is still an AMERICAN.

    Report Post »  
  • maryanne3935
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:23pm

    I love Issa, can’t believe he is in California, the only MAN in this town. Let’s compare him with waxman, sherman and berman. UGH!!!!! No real men there. So let Issa go and please call him with your support, when congress people do the right thing, they also need to hear from us. This is a real patriot and he is trying to get rid of vermin that has been let in and has been in government for too long.

    Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:09pm

      I can’t believe he is from Cali either he may be their only chance at sanity.

      Report Post »  
    • justangry
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:43pm

      Other than this, what do you love about Issa?

      Report Post » justangry  
  • Bunk
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:21pm

    Unless there is some cooperation from the Democrats I can’t imagine this going anywhere.

    Report Post »  
  • blackyb
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:19pm

    Eric Holder should be fired. It is time they realized they work for the people of the United States and not the other way around. They are the servants. We pay them. The President is only there to be the main servant of the U.S. He should be honored to have the position, not use it against the people. Get rid of both of them. Obama and Holder. They are too big for their britches.

    Report Post » blackyb  
    • team1blazer
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:29pm

      No, he should not be fired….he should be arrested, tried and hung for acts of treason against the republic.

      Report Post » team1blazer  
    • hatchetjob
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:52pm

      Right on BLACKYB and TEAM1BLAZER, right on!!!

      Report Post » hatchetjob  

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