“Today, I voted to hold Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in contempt of Congress for their refusal to comply with Congressional subpoenas. Congress is attempting to investigate the process through which the Trump administration tried to add a citizenship question to the Census and has been met at every turn by stonewalling and obfuscation.
“More importantly, my vote today is an effort to hold the Trump administration responsible for their contempt toward the American people. As the most direct representatives of Americans, we in the House of Representatives are charged with oversight of the executive branch. It is one of our most important functions and is essential to ensuring accountable and ethical government that follows the law. When the administration refuses to cooperate with Congress’s oversight function, it is denying the right of the American people to exert control over public servants. I will always fight against such a flouting of the rule of law.
“In coming weeks, we may be forced to take further contempt votes, as Kellyanne Conway, one of the president’s top advisors, has also refused to comply with a subpoena regarding her numerous violations of the Hatch Act, a law designed to stop those in power from abusing their official positions for political purposes. The President has refused to listen to the advice of the government’s own attorney who recommended Ms. Conway’s termination. Americans deserve answers to the issues surrounding these flagrant violations and lack of accountability, and I’ll use the tools at my disposal to get answers on their behalf.”