In a consequential action on January 21, 2026, the US House Oversight Committee voted to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress after both declined to appear for subpoenaed depositions tied to its ongoing investigation into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The bipartisan committee backed the measures by a 34-8 vote for Bill Clinton and 28-15 for Hillary Clinton, advancing the matter to the full House for possible referral to the Department of Justice (DOJ), a step that could pave the way for criminal charges.
The Oversight Committee’s investigation, which spans months and involves subpoenas to multiple individuals, seeks sworn testimony and records about connections to Epstein and his circle, including his convicted associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Epstein, a financier who pleaded guilty in 2008 to prostitution charges and later faced federal sex-trafficking indictments, died in federal custody in 2019. His extensive network of powerful acquaintances has long sparked congressional scrutiny.
Former President Clinton’s name has appeared in previously released Epstein-related files, including documented flight logs and photographs, though he and Mrs. Clinton have repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities beyond limited associations. Neither has been accused of criminal wrongdoing in connection with the criminal cases against Epstein or Maxwell.
Offers to reschedule in January 2026 were also declined, prompting the committee to set final deposition dates of January 13 and 14. The Clintons did not appear.
Chairman Comer said the subpoenas carried the force of law and required compliance, and he emphasized that former senior US officials must abide by congressional oversight. “No one is above the law,” Comer stated after the vote.
They also said that the couple had provided all relevant information they possessed in sworn statements and offered to cooperate further under more limited terms, including discussions in New York, an offer the committee rejected because it would not be transcribed.
Although mostly along party lines, several House Democrats joined Republicans in the contempt votes, notably nine Democrats for the Bill Clinton measure and three for the Hillary Clinton measure.
Democratic critics of the contempt push have argued the focus on the Clintons distracts from other aspects of the investigation, including slow DOJ release of Epstein-related files. They also sought, unsuccessfully, to downgrade Hillary Clinton’s contempt charge or reframe it as civil rather than criminal in nature.
The full House is expected to vote on the contempt referrals in coming weeks. If approved, the matter could be referred to the DOJ for prosecution, a process that involves potential legal challenges and could take months or longer to resolve.
Criminal contempt of Congress carries a statutory maximum of up to one year in prison and significant fines, though such punishments are rarely imposed and prosecutions of former presidents would be historically unprecedented.
The Oversight Committee’s investigation, which spans months and involves subpoenas to multiple individuals, seeks sworn testimony and records about connections to Epstein and his circle, including his convicted associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Epstein, a financier who pleaded guilty in 2008 to prostitution charges and later faced federal sex-trafficking indictments, died in federal custody in 2019. His extensive network of powerful acquaintances has long sparked congressional scrutiny.
Former President Clinton’s name has appeared in previously released Epstein-related files, including documented flight logs and photographs, though he and Mrs. Clinton have repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities beyond limited associations. Neither has been accused of criminal wrongdoing in connection with the criminal cases against Epstein or Maxwell.
What happened in committee
Subpoenas and failed depositions
The committee, under Republican Chairman Rep. James Comer, first issued bipartisan subpoenas to the Clintons in August 2025 following a unanimous subcommittee vote. Depositions were scheduled for October and then December, only to be postponed at Mr. Clinton’s and Mrs. Clinton’s request.Offers to reschedule in January 2026 were also declined, prompting the committee to set final deposition dates of January 13 and 14. The Clintons did not appear.
Chairman Comer said the subpoenas carried the force of law and required compliance, and he emphasized that former senior US officials must abide by congressional oversight. “No one is above the law,” Comer stated after the vote.
Clintons’ response
In letters to the committee, the Clintons’ attorneys argued the subpoenas lacked legitimate legislative purpose and were being used for political harassment.They also said that the couple had provided all relevant information they possessed in sworn statements and offered to cooperate further under more limited terms, including discussions in New York, an offer the committee rejected because it would not be transcribed.
Although mostly along party lines, several House Democrats joined Republicans in the contempt votes, notably nine Democrats for the Bill Clinton measure and three for the Hillary Clinton measure.
Democratic critics of the contempt push have argued the focus on the Clintons distracts from other aspects of the investigation, including slow DOJ release of Epstein-related files. They also sought, unsuccessfully, to downgrade Hillary Clinton’s contempt charge or reframe it as civil rather than criminal in nature.
The full House is expected to vote on the contempt referrals in coming weeks. If approved, the matter could be referred to the DOJ for prosecution, a process that involves potential legal challenges and could take months or longer to resolve.
Criminal contempt of Congress carries a statutory maximum of up to one year in prison and significant fines, though such punishments are rarely imposed and prosecutions of former presidents would be historically unprecedented.
