The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee votes to hold former health official Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he repeatedly refused to answer questions during a July 29 hearing. Lawmakers focused on topics that include questions about the origins of COVID-19, potential “gain-of-function” research involving coronaviruses, and Fauci’s role in the government’s pandemic response.

The contempt vote is backed by Republicans led by Sen. Rand Paul, who argues Fauci’s Fifth Amendment claims were “unsupported” and that a criminal referral to the Department of Justice should follow. In the hearing, Fauci invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination, and he also accused Paul of seeking to provoke statements that could lead to prosecution. Democrats on the committee dispute the approach, with one top Democrat, Sen. Gary Peters, describing the process as one-sided and alleging selective information.

Several outlets also note that Paul is seeking to move quickly by sending a criminal contempt referral rather than waiting for a broader Senate vote. CBS reports Paul says there is a “very real chance” of prosecution, while other coverage highlights that legal experts and Fauci’s lawyers say the Fifth Amendment invocation is on solid legal ground.