The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) is scheduled to vote on Thursday morning, August 6th, 2026, on a resolution to hold former top health official Anthony Fauci in contempt. This follows a hearing last week where Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right over 100 times and refused to answer any questions.

The resolution addresses Fauci's refusal to respond to questions pertinent to the committee's inquiry as required by subpoena. It also calls for Vice President JD Vance, who serves as president of the Senate, to forward the committee's report of contempt to the U.S. Senate.

During the hearing, Fauci stated he would not answer questions, expressing concern that committee Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was attempting to imprison him. Republican committee members challenged Fauci's Fifth Amendment claim, arguing that a sweeping pardon granted by former President Biden might negate his protections. The dispute escalated to the point where Fauci's attorney, David Schertler, was removed from the room on Paul's orders.

Chair Paul acknowledged after the hearing that it was unclear if Fauci's Fifth Amendment protections applied, saying, "Maybe the Fifth Amendment doesn’t attach when you have a pardon in place." Prior Supreme Court rulings require witnesses to have certainty about their immunity to invoke constitutional protections.

The Hill has reached out to Fauci's attorneys for comment on the upcoming vote.

Sources