The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a markup session on January 21, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Chairman James Comer, Republican of Kentucky, introduced resolutions to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress. The committee voted after the Clintons missed scheduled depositions.
The vote on Bill Clinton passed 34-8, with nine Democrats joining Republicans. The resolution on Hillary Clinton passed 28-15, with three Democrats in support.
The full House must now vote to certify the referrals. If certified, the cases would go to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution. Contempt carries a maximum of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine upon conviction.
Comer issued the subpoenas to examine the federal government's handling of Jeffrey Epstein's case. Epstein died in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Bill Clinton took multiple flights on Epstein's private plane between 2002 and 2003, according to flight logs released in court documents.
The Clintons' attorneys argued the subpoenas served no legitimate legislative purpose. They offered written statements in place of testimony. Comer rejected the offer after extended negotiations and set depositions for January 13 and January 14, 2026.
Comer said during the session that no individual, including a former president, can ignore a congressional subpoena without facing consequences. He stressed the importance of accountability in the Epstein matter.
Several Democrats crossed party lines during the votes. They cited the need for transparency on government actions related to Epstein. The Clintons have not made public statements since the committee action.
The Epstein investigation by the committee continues. Comer indicated further steps will follow based on ongoing leads into federal handling of the case. The contempt referrals mark one of the rare instances where Congress has moved against a former president in this manner.