Story perspectives

Clintons Face Contempt Vote Amid Epstein Investigation Controversy

1/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

The House Oversight Committee voted to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
The resolutions passed with bipartisan support and will proceed to the full House for a vote.
Nine Democrats supported the contempt charge against Bill Clinton, while only three did so for Hillary Clinton.
Critics, including Rep. Robert Garcia, argue that the focus on the Clintons distracts from the Justice Department's failure to release Epstein files.
The Clintons maintain the subpoenas are invalid and have offered limited cooperation. Ghislaine Maxwell is scheduled to testify on February 9.

History

Historical Context

In December 1998, the House of Representatives impeached President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, stemming from his testimony in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Paula Jones. This marked only the second presidential impeachment in U.S. history, following Andrew Johnson in 1868. The ongoing contempt charges against Bill and Hillary Clinton reflect similar tensions between high-profile figures and congressional oversight.

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Story summary

The House Oversight Committee voted to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
The resolutions passed with bipartisan support and will proceed to the full House for a vote.
Nine Democrats supported the contempt charge against Bill Clinton, while only three did so for Hillary Clinton.
Critics, including Rep. Robert Garcia, argue that the focus on the Clintons distracts from the Justice Department's failure to release Epstein files.
The Clintons maintain the subpoenas are invalid and have offered limited cooperation. Ghislaine Maxwell is scheduled to testify on February 9.

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