The Republican House failed on Thursday to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in “inherent contempt” of Congress and fine him $10,000 each day that he does not turn over audio tapes from President Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur.
The resolution failed on the floor in a 204-210 vote. Four House Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the resolution: Reps. John Duarte (Calif.), David Joyce (Ohio), Tom McClintock (Calif.) and Mike Turner (Ohio).
During the debate prior to the vote, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) called the effort ‘stupid’ and pointed out the hypocrisy of the House Republican conference, citing all the Republicans who had defied their subpoenas.
“This is a stupid resolution,” McGovern said on the floor. “Republican leadership knows this is a stupid resolution. Their own members know this is a stupid resolution. But they’re beholden to the craziest MAGA members in their conference.”
“Let’s be real. Republicans want to get these recordings because they think the [Republican National Committee] can use them in attack ads,” McGovern said.
McGovern continued, but ended up asking his offenses to be removed from the record when Republicans cried foul: “It’s like a national pastime for Republicans — golf, fishing and ignoring subpoenas. And now they have the nerve to come down here and lecture anyone about the rule of law. Get lost. Get lost. Get out of here with this nonsense,” he said.
Florida MAGAt Anna Paulina Luna had toned down the original version of the measure, which would have directed the House sergeant at arms to arrest and detain Garland over his refusal to turn over the Biden interview tape.