House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R‑Ky.) announced he will pursue a contempt of Congress resolution against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after she declined to appear for a scheduled deposition Wednesday in the panel’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The committee plans to consider the contempt resolution next week along with one against her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who also failed to appear for a deposition Tuesday.
Comer expressed frustration that the committee spent five months negotiating with the Clintons’ attorney about scheduling, only to see neither of them show up. He said the Clintons had suggested they were trying to make a deposition date work, but ultimately did not appear.
Last summer, the Oversight Committee issued subpoenas to the Clintons in a bipartisan vote, along with former attorneys general, FBI directors, and other government officials as part of its broader probe into Epstein and his associates. Many others who were subpoenaed were later excused from testifying after providing sworn statements that they had no relevant information for the investigation.
In a joint letter to Comer on Tuesday, the Clintons’ lawyers argued that the subpoenas were legally invalid and accused Comer of failing to secure compliance from the Justice Department regarding the release of materials tied to the Epstein investigation. They wrote that President and Secretary Clinton had already provided the limited information they possess about Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell voluntarily and proactively, and characterized the subpoenas as lacking a valid legislative purpose.
Rep. Scott Perry (R‑Pa.), who made the original motion for issuing the subpoenas, responded to the criticism by saying the committee can pursue its actions while continuing to seek information through other avenues.
The dispute highlights ongoing congressional tension over access to information in high‑profile investigations. Republican members of the Oversight panel have said their actions are aimed at uncovering unanswered questions surrounding Epstein, while critics argue the subpoenas may be overly broad or politically motivated.
As the committee prepares to consider contempt resolutions against both Hillary and Bill Clinton, attention will turn to whether the full House ultimately votes to hold the former secretary of state and former president in contempt, a significant and rare congressional rebuke.
