Labrador Joins Bipartisan Majority in House to Hold Attorney General Eric Holder in Contempt

Statement

Today Idaho First District Congressman Raúl Labrador voted with the bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives in finding Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for his continued stonewalling of an investigation by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee into the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives program, Operation Fast and Furious. The failed gun-running operation has resulted in the death of United States Border Patrol agent Brian Terry as well as hundreds of innocent Mexican citizens. Nearly one thousand guns remain unaccounted for. The first vote, for criminal contempt was 255-67. The second vote, for civil contempt was 258-95.

Statement of Congressman Raúl Labrador on Contempt of Congress votes

by the U.S. House of Representatives on Attorney General Eric Holder:

"Today's bipartisan votes by the full House of Representatives to find Attorney General Eric Holder in both criminal and civil contempt of Congress were the inevitable outcome of months of stonewalling by the Department of Justice. Yet today's votes shouldn't have been necessary at all. It is deeply troubling that despite numerous requests and a subpoena from the Oversight and Government Reform Committee more than 90% of the known documents pertaining to Operation Fast and Furious have not been turned over by Eric Holder and the DOJ."

"Congress is seeking to learn the complete truth about Operation Fast and Furious and not just the bits and pieces of the story that the Department of Justice has given us. Attorney General Holder has a troubling pattern of ignorance and ineptitude and his refusal to pursue justice is inexcusable. A border patrol agent is dead, hundreds of guns are still missing, and the Executive Branch is now claiming executive privilege in order to keep the truth hidden forever. The families of the victims and the American people deserve far better than this from Attorney General Holder and the White House."

Source