House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) released the following statement today after the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) announced the committee will vote on a Contempt of Congress citation for U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder for his failure to fully comply with the investigation into Operation “Fast and Furious” [wherein the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives enabled gun sales to Mexican cartel members, contributing to the death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry [above], Customs and Immigrations Enforcement Agent Jaime Zapata and an unknown number of Mexican civilians] . . .
The Justice Department is out of excuses. Congress has given Attorney General Holder more than enough time to fully cooperate with its investigation into ‘Fast and Furious,’ and to help uncover the circumstances regarding the death of Border Agent Brian Terry. Agent Terry’s family, the whistleblowers who brought this issue to light, and the American people deserve answers. Either the Justice Department turns over the information requested, or Congress will have no choice but to move forward with holding the Attorney General in contempt for obstructing an ongoing investigation.