Contempt of Congress hearing against Eric Holder will proceed without him
Attorney General Eric Holder is resigning, and the news of his impending departure comes just weeks before the Justice Department is set to begin submitting documents related to the Fast and Furious case, a controversial botched gun program on the U.S. border with Mexico. The Washington Times reports the contempt of Congress case against Holder will continue even after his resignation takes effect.
The House voted 255-67 (17 Democrats voted in favor) two years ago to hold Holder in contempt of Congress when he refused to turn over documents from Fast and Furious. According to the Times, Holder is "the first sitting Cabinet member ever to face such a congressional rebuke."
Legal analysts say that Holder's replacement will likely be substituted as defendant in the suit, and that it's unlikely Holder will ever face personal punishment.
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