When Fauci was questioned last week about the origin of Covid-19, he invoked his constitutional right not to answer more than 100 times, on the advice of lawyers.
This prompted the committee's chairman, Republican Rand Paul, to demand a vote on whether Fauci was guilty of contempt of Congress. And the committee, with all members voting along party lines, found that he was.
The matter is now being referred to the Department of Justice, where it will be decided whether to proceed.
Fauci was pardoned as a precaution by former President Joe Biden, but according to Republicans, this meant that he did not risk punishment and therefore should answer questions - and that his failure to do so means defiance.
