What happens now that Congress declared Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt?

The matter now goes to the U.S. attorney of the District of Columbia, Ronald Machen Jr., who works for Holder. Machen will likely use “prosecutorial discretion” to avoid the matter. That’s what the U.S. attorney did in 2008 when a Democratic Congress referred contempt charges against two Bush administration officials. Congress also could go to the courts. But, as the 2008 case showed, Congress’ term will expire long before the courts decide.

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