Feel Free To Share This Page Facebook

Washington, Jun 29, 2012 -
The bipartisan vote to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in criminal contempt of Congress on Thursday interestingly lost two Republican members’ votes.

Both of those Republicans, Virginia Rep. Scott Rigell and Ohio Rep. Steve LaTourette, did later vote to hold Holder in civil contempt of Congress.

In a statement provided to The Daily Caller, Rigell explains why he voted in favor of civil contempt for Holder and against criminal contempt.

“In the wisdom of our Founding Fathers, there is built-in tension among the three branches of our federal government,” Rigell said. “This tension was reflected in two votes that came to the House floor this afternoon.”

“I believe in progressive discipline,” Rigell added. “Accordingly, and after a careful review of the facts, I voted against a bill to hold the Attorney General in criminal contempt of Congress. Later, I voted for a bill that authorizes the Oversight Committee to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings and force the Attorney General to comply with what are very reasonable oversight requests from this Congress.”

Rigell went to on to say he thinks Holder should resign in the wake of Operation Fast and Furious, making him the 130th House member to demand that Holder step down.

“In my view, the Attorney General has not served the President or the American people well,” Rigell said. “I believe he should resign. I am intent on pursuing the facts and gaining a full understanding of the Administration’s handling of the events leading to the Fast and Furious program, and as importantly, the conduct of the Administration in the months that followed.”