House Republicans moved Tuesday to hold Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress over claims he obstructed their investigation into the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
House Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) had subpoenaed Blinken, requiring him to testify on Tuesday. But the secretary of state responded he’d be in New York for events surrounding the U.N. General Assembly. Blinken reiterated “I am willing to testify” but said he is “profoundly disappointed” by the committee’s insistence on unilateral dates “during which I am carrying out the President’s important foreign policy objectives.”
That argument didn’t sway McCaul.
“I wish we were not here today. However, Secretary of State Antony Blinken brought this upon himself,” McCaul said. “I take no joy in this procedure.”
The Texas Republican added: “The secretary’s willful indifference — his willful indifference — has brought us to this point.”
In a draft report, McCaul said Blinken failed to comply with his Sept. 18 subpoena. McCaul alleged Blinken disregarded his “numerous, good faith efforts” three times to appear before the committee.
Asked if the full House would eventually vote on the report, Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Tuesday: “I’m sure we will,” likely after the November elections.
Democrats, led by ranking member Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), blasted the GOP-led move as a “political stunt made for Fox News” and a “rushed vote.”
“That’s what this is: a political stunt, plain and simple,” Meeks said. “Why is there suddenly a rush to hold this contempt vote when the secretary has made it clear time and time again that he’s willing to testify?”
Blinken would be the third of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet to face a formal floor rebuke by the GOP-led House. Lawmakers held Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress back in June and impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in February. The Senate swiftly dispensed with the charges against Mayorkas and the Justice Department declined to prosecute Garland.
House Republicans are planning more actions related to the Afghanistan withdrawal this week, highlighting what is generally regarded as a Biden administration failure just weeks before the election. Lawmakers are scheduled to vote on a resolution to condemn 15 Biden officials, including Blinken and Vice President Kamala Harris, for “decisionmaking and execution failures throughout the withdrawal.”
