House Committee Holds Holder In Contempt

A House committee investigating the "Fast and Furious" gun operation voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress Wednesday, after President Obama refused to release documents pertaining to the case.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's vote sets up the possibility of legal action against Holder. The full House must approve the contempt vote, reports  Fox News .

Earlier Wednesday, President Obama invoked executive privilege to halt the release of documents subpoenaed by the committee pertaining to the operation in which guns were allowed to reach Mexican drug cartels, reports the New York Times .

The documents in question pertain to the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, who was gunned down by smugglers in December 2010. Two "Fast and Furious" guns were found at the scene.

Committee chair Rep. Darrel Issa (R-Calif.) said a full House vote could be avoided if the Obama administration turns over the documents, reports Fox News .

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House Committee Sets Contempt Vote for Holder