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House votes to hold attorney general in contempt

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    AG Holder calls the investigation 'politically motivated'

  • Duration 2:49
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This transcript is automatically generated

And that major health -- decision not the only historic moment yesterday congress voted to hold attorney general Eric Holder in criminal contempt.

It's the first time such -- has been imposed on a sitting member of the president's cabinet.

On this vote the agent -- 58 days or 95 with five voting present that resolution is agreed to.

More than a hundred Democrat staged a walkout in protest.

Of course the dispute centers on the Justice Department's refusal to turn over emails and memos in the fast and furious scandal.

Peter -- is live right now from Washington good morning there so what happens next.

Patty and congressional investigators still really want the documents they've been denied so far related to operation fast and furious and the chairman of the house oversight committee.

Thinks they might keep striking out if they try to compel the attorney general to turn them over -- -- criminal contempt citation but that they also voted to hold the attorney general in civil contempt.

Now they can just taken to court instead.

Based on past experience it's very possible president moonstruck the US attorney not to prosecute further on the criminal side.

The house is authorized.

Need to hire staff.

And dollar legal staff who then can pursue civilly in the courts to try to get a federal judge to order.

Separately this discovery.

But -- -- says he will wait a reasonable time before heading to court he will give the administration a chance to press charges against the attorney general.

And -- so what is the attorney general's reaction.

The attorney general's basically dismissing both citations as being politically motivated and he's also calling out chairman -- that.

Today's vote is the regrettable culmination to what became a misguided and politically motivated investigation.

During an election year.

By advancing it over the past year and a half.

Congressman -- and others have focused on politics.

Over public safety.

And earlier yesterday holder was at a conference at Disney World any joked that it was good to be bear and not in Washington DC.

And art so what does the family of Brian Terry have to say about us.

They think that if the Justice Department just came clean at the start of the investigation this entire vote.

Could have been avoided saying in a statement quote.

The Terry family takes no pleasure in the contempt vote against attorney general Eric Holder such a vote should not have been necessary the Justice Department -- released.

The documents related to fast and furious.

Months ago and -- and it has been more than eighteen months now since Border Patrol agent Brian Terry was killed.

-- you and your computer to -- live for us in Washington thank you what we're finding out now.

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