US Senate committee votes to hold Fauci in contempt over Covid hearing - BBC News

The committee will now refer him for potential prosecution following his refusal to answer questions during a hearing focused on his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Image source, Bloomberg via Getty ImagesByBernd Debusmann JrWhite House reporter Published6 August 2026, 14:36 BSTUpdated 1 minute agoA US Senate committee has voted to hold former top health official Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he refused to answer questions during a hearing examining his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The vote - which fell along party lines - clears the way for the committee to refer the case to the justice department for potential prosecution for failing to comply with a congressional subpoena.

It remains unclear whether the department will pursue the case.

During his testimony last week, Fauci invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination more than 100 times, arguing that Kentucky Senator Rand Paul was trying to put him "behind bars".

In a statement following the vote, Fauci's lawyer called it a "crude political stunt" being conducted to "punish Dr Fauci for exercising his constitutional right".