A Senate committee is set to vote on whether to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress following his COVID-19 pandemic testimony, according to reports. The decision is expected on Thursday and would determine whether Fauci should be referred to the U.S. Department of Justice for potential prosecution. The contempt vote centers on disputes over whether Fauci’s testimony and related responses complied with congressional demands during the committee’s investigation of the pandemic’s origins and government handling of COVID-19. Multiple outlets describe the process as a formal legislative step that can follow contested answers to lawmakers’ questions. If the committee votes for contempt, the matter would move forward for further consideration and possible DOJ review, as provided for under U.S. law governing contempt of Congress referrals. The coverage frames the vote as a significant escalation in the congressional oversight process, moving from testimony disputes to a potential criminal referral.