The panel's Republican members asserted that the Clintons were given ample opportunity to appear before the committee, but declined to attend their scheduled, closed-door depositions last week. Democrats on the committee argued that the subpoenas were politically motivated and lacked a legitimate legislative purpose.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, Republican of Kentucky, defended the committee's actions. He stated that the Clintons had not cooperated with the investigation, despite possessing potentially relevant information. Comer quoted, "We have made repeated attempts to obtain their testimony, but they have refused to cooperate."

The Clintons, through their legal representatives, have maintained that the subpoenas were legally invalid and that they had already shared what "little information" they possessed with the committee. They argued that the committee's investigation was a partisan exercise intended to damage their reputations.

The contempt resolution now moves to the full House of Representatives for a vote. If the House votes in favor of holding the Clintons in contempt, the matter will be referred to the Department of Justice, which will then decide whether to pursue criminal charges.

The House Oversight Committee launched its investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein case earlier this year, seeking to determine whether any government officials or agencies failed to adequately investigate or prosecute Epstein's crimes. The committee has issued a number of subpoenas to individuals who may have had contact with Epstein, including the Clintons.

Ranking member Robert Garcia, Democrat of California, criticized the vote, stating that it was a "waste of taxpayer dollars" and a "political stunt." He argued that the committee should be focusing on more pressing issues facing the country.