Democrats will “do what they have to do today” amid the “inexplicable” rush by Republicans to find Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress, Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said to reporters this morning.
“Some members will have to do what they have to do, whether is walk out, vote for, vote against, whatever it is,” she said of the contempt vote centered on Operation Fast and Furious.
Nancy Pelosi
Pelosi’s comments come just a few hours before the full House is scheduled to vote on the contempt citation lobbied against Holder. Wednesday was a busy day for lawmakers and support groups in anticipation of the historic contempt vote.
She also criticized Republican lawmakers for rushing to judge Holder.
“The idea that the Republicans have to bring this contempt of Congress against the attorney general … the Republicans are contemptuous in what they’re doing today,” Pelosi said, according to Politico. “The rush that they are putting on it is just inexplicable.”
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) said on Wednesday that there is no evidence nor does he have a strong suspicion that Holder was aware gun-walking was occurring in Operation Fast and Furious.
The National Rifle Association also announced its intention to closely monitor the contempt vote for “future candidate evaluations.” Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said Wednesday that the announcement would probably sway a “couple dozen” Democratic lawmakers living in more conservative districts from more conservative districts to vote in favor of holding Holder in contempt. Five Democrats have already signaled their intention to break rank with their party and vote in favor of the contempt measure.
Other Democratic lawmakers lambasted Republicans for politicizing the contempt vote and turning the public’s attention to “paperwork” and not the real issue: gun control.
For months it has been alleged the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in cooperation with the Arizona U.S. Attorneys office allowed thousands of guns to cross the southwest border in an effort to acquire the evidence necessary to prosecute straw-buyers and higher-ups in dangerous Mexican drug cartels.
A new investigation casts doubt on the long-standing narrative, contending that ATF never intentionally allowed guns to “walk” over the border.
