Pelosi Rebukes Democrats After Bipartisan Votes to Hold Clintons in Contempt
Pelosi privately chastised Democrats after bipartisan Oversight Committee votes recommending contempt for Bill and Hillary Clinton over Epstein subpoenas, as negotiations and DOJ-file concerns continue.
Overview
House Oversight Committee voted to recommend contempt for Bill Clinton (34-8, two present) and Hillary Clinton (28-15, one present); measures now head to a full House vote.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi privately rebuked Democrats who supported the contempt votes, urging delay until the Justice Department releases all Epstein investigative files and stressing her influential voice.
Clintons’ attorneys called the subpoenas invalid, submitted written declarations, and offered a limited interview in New York; Chairman Comer rejected the offer and the committee advanced depositions and contempt proceedings.
Legal experts warn a full-House referral could prompt DOJ misdemeanor prosecutions carrying fines and up to one year in jail; commentators cite Bannon and Navarro convictions as precedent.
Democrats are divided: nine joined Republicans on the Bill Clinton vote, prompting leaders to seek a negotiated off-ramp before a floor vote; Ghislaine Maxwell is scheduled to testify Feb. 9.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources largely report this story neutrally, sticking to factual detail and balanced sourcing. They foreground committee votes, legal context (possible penalties, DOJ referral), and both Comer’s accusations and Democrats’ counterclaims. Loaded terms appear as attributed quotes (e.g., “defiance,” “politicizing rape”), not editorial assertions, minimizing editorial framing.
Sources (30)
FAQ
The committee voted 34-8 (two present) to hold Bill Clinton in contempt, with nine Democrats joining Republicans. For Hillary Clinton, the vote was 28-15 (one present), with three Democrats in favor.
The bipartisan subpoenas were issued as part of the committee's investigation into the federal government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell criminal cases, approved unanimously by the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee on July 23, 2025.
The recommendations now head to a full House vote; if passed by simple majority, they would be referred to the Justice Department for potential misdemeanor prosecution, with penalties up to one year in jail and $100,000 fine.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi privately rebuked Democrats who voted for contempt, urging them to delay until the Justice Department releases all Epstein files.
Nine Democrats supported Bill Clinton's contempt: Maxwell Frost (FL), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL), Summer Lee (PA), Emily Randall (WA), Lateefah Simon (CA), Melanie Stansbury (NM), Rashida Tlaib (MI), Stephen Lynch (MA), Ayanna Pressley (MA). Three supported Hillary's: Lee, Stansbury, Tlaib.
History
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