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Congressional panel votes to hold AG in contempt

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    Lawmakers move forward following WH executive privilege claim

  • Duration 4:39
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This transcript is automatically generated

-- -- quote the launching pad too fast and furious was project gun runner which began.

In 2006 that same year the ATF's Phoenix field division started using a controversial gun walking strategy.

Allowing weapons to go to suspected smugglers so they can be traced to the gangs that -- them.

Three years later the strategy was elevated with the inception.

Of operation fast and furious in December of Tony -- agent Brian Terry was killed in two assault rifles the ATF had let go.

Were -- that scene as we just mentioned the next month the ATF stop fast and furious after losing track of more than 14100.

Weapons.

That same month I was senator Chuck Grassley began an investigation into the botched operation.

And he asked attorney general Eric Holder for answers.

Days later in February last year the Justice Department insisted in a letter to Grassley that ATF had never letting guns walk.

Within weeks holder directed the Justice Department's inspector general to investigate further.

Shortly after that in March President Obama said in a television interview.

He was quote absolutely not informed.

About operation fast and furious adding he did not authorize it.

An attorney general holder did not authorize.

And in December of last year the Justice Department was forced to retract their February letter to Grassley calling it fundamentally flawed and admitting that in fact.

The Justice Department had -- guns go.

Very few if any on Capitol Hill saw this coming chief congressional correspondent Mike Emanuel has that part of the story tonight to be -- like.

Good evening Bradlee executive privilege assertion caught many off guard here on Capitol Hill since Republicans say.

There was no mention of it before today still the house oversight committee moved forward.

23 -- is seventeen knows the guys have it.

Had a contempt reporting as ordered.

-- -- that the house oversight committee voted to hold attorney general Eric Holder in contempt of congress.

The late afternoon vote followed the declaration of executive privilege by the administration earlier today.

More than eight months after.

A subpoena.

And clearly after the question of executive privilege could have and should have been asserted this untimely assertion by the the Justice Department falls short of any reason to delay today's proceedings.

Republicans -- internal emails from the months after border agent Brian Terry's death when the Justice Department denied whistle blower allegations but then had to backtrack.

The panel's top Democrat defended Eric Holder and put -- next year.

You've been holding the attorney general to.

An impossible standard both sides accuse the other of playing election year politics and called it a sad moment for the committee and for congress.

Some might be forgiven.

For describing the proceedings today.

As akin to a kangaroo court and as a former prosecutor I assure you there's nothing kangaroo about the death of border agent.

And this is a very.

Sad day.

Democrats insist the Justice Department has provided many of the key answers -- consistent Republican argument has been that a year and a half after the death of border agent Brian Terry.

His family and lawmakers deserve the truth.

What are -- don't know about gun walking and did nothing to stop it parking given to us but that's part of the answer because -- part of what documents.

-- committee members were making their arguments with the battle lines drawn like there was some sharp language.

I must say mister chairman.

I am offended.

Personally.

By your your calling the attorney general a liar.

It's.

-- Boehner majority leader Eric Kantor released this statement a short time ago saying that house -- -- to hold the attorney general in contempt next week.

Although they did say -- holder turns over the documents between now and then they'll -- the oversight committee time hoping to resolve the matter -- And Mike just a few moments ago we had word that senator Grassley sent a letter to the White House what do you tell us about that that's right he's now asking President Obama to better define -- He parameters if you will of the executive privilege that he is claiming I interviewed senator Grassley earlier today he's been on this for.

Eighteen months now at the very beginning of this investigation.

He says he was not inclined to bring the president into the -- but now that the president.

Has stepped in by asserting executive privilege.

He's got questions for mr.

Obama Brett okay Mike --

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