Four Republicans Sink House Efforts Against AG Garland

(UnitedVoice.com) – The House issued a subpoena for audio tapes of President Joe Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur in the classified documents case. The Department of Justice released the transcript but refused to hand over the audio. The House recently held a vote to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt, but four Republicans sank the effort.

On July 11, the House voted on Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s (R-FL) resolution to hold Garland in contempt. The measure called for Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) to fine the attorney general $10,000 every day that he doesn’t turn over the tapes.

The measure failed to pass after 206 Democrats and four Republicans voted against it. No Dems supported the 204 Republicans who voted to pass the resolution. The Conservatives who voted against the measure are Tom McClintock (R-CA), Dave Joyce (R-OH), John Durante (R-CA), and Mike Turner (R-OH).

Luna originally wanted to hold the AG in inherent contempt of the House. That would have allowed the House sergeant-at-arms to detain Garland until he complied with the subpoena. However, she ultimately decided to ask for fines instead.

Garland refused to hand over the audio, claiming it would endanger future investigations where they need the White House to cooperate. He also said that it would endanger the confidentiality of other investigations. Democrats have accused House Republicans of trying to get the audio recordings so that they could chop them up and use them in campaign ads ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Special Counsel Hur released his final report in the classified documents case earlier this year. He determined the president did not commit any crimes when he stored classified documents at his home and office. Hur also accused Biden of being a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”

The House Oversight Committee is now investigating whether or not three White House aides have been trying to cover up the president’s declining cognitive state. Whether those officials comply with the subpoena remains to be seen.