Congressman Fred Upton is among nine House Republicans to vote with Democrats to hold former Trump advisor Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress on Thursday. Upton’s office has released the following statement:
Today, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, issued the following statement after he supported and the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress by a vote of 229 to 202:
“No one is above the law. That has always been one of my guiding tenants.
As a former Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Oversight Subcommittee, I used the subpoena sparingly. I always consulted with my Democratic colleagues and, without exception, the process brought the witness to the table.
January 6th was a terrible day here in the nation’s capital and that episode needs answers to the many questions still outstanding. I supported a bipartisan commission that passed the House but failed to get the required 60 votes in the Senate earlier this year. That Republican proposal required at least one Democrat and one Republican to support the issuance of any subpoena. The January 6th Select Committee did have two Republicans and all the Democrats support the subpoena for Steve Bannon.
When Attorney General Eric Holder refused to turn over documents related to the Fast and Furious scandal, I voted to hold him in contempt of Congress. When Lois Lerner of the IRS refused to cooperate with a congressional inquiry over her role in withholding tax-exempt status for conservative causes, I again voted to hold her in contempt of Congress.
When the Select Committee to investigate January 6th issued numerous subpoenas, every individual – including former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows – cooperated, except Steve Bannon.
Now that the Contempt Resolution has passed by a bipartisan vote of 229 to 202, it will be up to the Department of Justice to proceed. The Nation is watching.”
