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In a joint public statement, the Clintons accused Republicans of “weaponizing Congress for political gain.” They said:
“Despite everything that needs to be done to help our country, you are on the cusp of bringing Congress to a halt to pursue a rarely used process literally designed to result in our imprisonment. This is not the way out of America’s ills, and we will forcefully defend ourselves.”
Republicans moved forward regardless. The committee voted 34–8 to advance the contempt resolution against Bill Clinton, with nine Democrats joining the GOP and two members voting present. A separate measure to hold Hillary Clinton in contempt passed 28–15, with three Democrats siding with Republicans.
Chairman Comer stressed the action was about upholding the law, not politics. In his opening remarks, he said:
“The Committee does not take this action lightly. Subpoenas are not mere suggestions — they carry the force of law and require compliance. No witness, not a former president or a private citizen, may willfully defy a duly issued congressional subpoena without consequence. But that is what the Clintons did, and that is why we are here today.”
If the full House approves the resolutions, the Speaker of the House would certify the contempt citations and forward them to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia for potential prosecution. Contempt of Congress is classified as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
While most Republicans supported the measure, a handful of Democrats joined in, signaling bipartisan unease with the Clintons’ refusal to testify. Politico reports that Democrats Maxwell Frost (FL), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL), Summer Lee (PA), Emily Randall (WA), Lateefah Simon (CA), Melanie Stansbury (NM), Rashida Tlaib (MI), and Massachusetts Democrats Stephen Lynch and Ayanna Pressley voted to hold Bill Clinton in contempt. Lee, Stansbury, and Tlaib also voted for Hillary Clinton’s contempt, while Rep. Dave Min (CA) voted “present” on both.
In sworn declarations submitted to the committee, the Clintons claimed they had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activity or the conduct of his associates. Their lawyers said the couple had “negotiated in good faith” for months to arrange alternative interview terms, with Bill Clinton even offering to meet privately with Comer and his staff.
Comer rejected those offers, emphasizing that the Clintons were not entitled to special treatment. A senior GOP staffer stated after the vote:
“This is about equal justice under the law. If Democrats were willing to jail Trump officials for ignoring subpoenas, they should be prepared to hold their own accountable when they do the same.”
The votes signal a rare moment in Washington history where accountability appears to cut across party lines—albeit in an environment of intense political theater and high stakes.
