Resolution Criteria

A contempt of Congress resolution needs only a simple majority to pass. This market resolves YES if the House of Representatives passes a resolution holding Attorney General Pam Bondi in inherent contempt of Congress. The resolution must be voted on and approved by a simple majority of the House. Resolution can be verified through official House voting records and congressional news sources.

Background

Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) announced they will be moving to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in inherent contempt of Congress over the Justice Department's failure to release all files on Jeffrey Epstein by Dec. 19 with limited redactions, as was required by law. Holding an official in inherent contempt allows Congress to force compliance either with fines or detention, and in a manner that entirely bypasses the DOJ. Khanna stated they "only need the House for inherent contempt" and are "building a bipartisan coalition" that would "fine Pam Bondi for every day that she's not releasing these documents."

Considerations

Historically, Congress has arrested individuals for contempt (though not since the 1930s), and legal experts contend that Congress can impose fines as well (though it has never done so). While inherent contempt is a constitutional power of Congress, its actual enforcement remains rare in modern times. The outcome will depend on whether Khanna and Massie can build sufficient bipartisan support to bring the resolution to a House vote and secure a simple majority.

Resolves no if not passed by close date