Tipsheet

Why the House Judiciary Is Dropping Contempt Charges Against Barr

The Department of Justice has agreed to hand over some evidence from Robert Mueller's investigation, so the House Judiciary Committee will drop its contempt charges against Attorney General William Barr.

"We are pleased the Committee has agreed to set aside its contempt resolution and is returning to the traditional accommodation process. The Department of Justice remains committed to appropriately accommodating Congress’s legitimate interests related to the Special Counsel’s Investigation and will continue to do so provided the previously voted-upon resolution does not advance,” DOJ Spokesperson Kerri Kupec said.  

The committee voted to hold Barr in contempt last month for refusing to release the full unredacted Russia report from special counsel Robert Mueller, which would violate federal law. The House had planned to vote on Tuesday.

Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) is facing criticism from his fellow Democrats for letting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi foot the brakes on impeachment proceedings against the president.