Contempt of Congress

Archive Report

Defiance of Investigating Committee of Congress

Rise in Congressional Citations for Contempt

The rapid increase during recent years in the number of citations for contempt, and the disappointing results achieved through prosecutions in the courts, have turned the attention of members of Congress to a search for better means of assuring respect for the authority of the Legislative Branch of the government.

Since March, 1940, no fewer than 30 persons have been cited for contumacy by the House of Representatives1 and had their cases certified by the Speaker to the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia for prosecution. Of these 30 cases, 23 have originated during the last 12 months.

Two current cases have attracted particular attention because they involve seemingly flagrant defiances of the authority ...

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