In a move to hold U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland accountable, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) initiated a resolution to impose a substantial fine on Garland for his alleged failure to comply with congressional demands.
The issue revolves around Garland’s handling of classified documents related to President Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., the resolution’s lead sponsor, said during a Wednesday debate, “No one is above the law.”
Read: Texas Sen. Ted Cruz Lights Up Climate Protesters Interrupting His Speech
“This is not a decision that we have reached lightly, but the actions of the attorney general cannot be ignored,” Luna said.
The House of Representatives held a vote Thursday on tabling Luna’s resolution, which failed by a narrow margin of 207-209. Subsequently, another vote was held to send the resolution to the Rules Committee, but this was unsuccessful, with a 207-211 outcome.
“We expected it to pass, but we’ve been very aggressive on enforcing the subpoena against Merrick Garland and seeking to hold him accountable,” Speaker Mike Johnson said after the vote. “We are using every tool in the arsenal to ensure that he follows the law and that we can complete our constitutional responsibility.”
These close votes highlight the polarized nature of the issue and the political tensions surrounding Garland’s handling of the classified documents case.
Read: Alec Baldwin’s Involuntary Manslaughter Case Dismissed With Prejudice In New Mexico
Garland’s supporters have raised concerns about Congressional overreach and the potential to undermine the Department of Justice’s independence.
They argue that the resolution could have far-reaching implications for the separation of powers and the executive branch’s ability to carry out its duties effectively.
The debate surrounding Luna’s resolution highlights the ongoing tensions between the legislative and executive branches over the scope of Congressional oversight and the limits of executive privilege.
Proponents of the resolution argue that Congress has a fundamental right to access information relevant to its oversight responsibilities, while opponents contend that certain information may be protected by executive privilege.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.