Senate Committee Votes to Hold Fauci in Contempt Over COVID Hearing Testimony

A U.S. Senate committee has voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. The Republican-led Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee initiated the vote on Thursday, August 6, 2026, after Fauci declined to answer questions during a hearing last week concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. He repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, doing so over 100 times during the testimony.

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), who chairs the committee, has been a vocal critic of Fauci, accusing him of concealing information regarding the pandemic's origins. Fauci's attorney, David Schertler, denounced the contempt vote as a "crude political stunt" designed to punish his client for exercising constitutional rights. Democrats on the committee also opposed the resolution, labeling it a partisan move that would not benefit public health.

The committee plans to refer the contempt resolution directly to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution. While Fauci received a pardon from President Biden for actions between 2014 and January 2025, this pardon would not cover any current testimony. The Justice Department will now decide whether to pursue charges against Fauci.