WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) today issued the following statement regarding today's contempt citation vote.

"Today, as in 2008, the House of Representatives voted to hold a senior Executive Branch official in contempt of Congress for failure to turn over documents requested by the House as part of an official investigation. I supported today's resolution, just as I did in 2008, because Congress has the constitutional authority to oversee and investigate the Executive Branch of our government.  I believe it would be inconsistent for me to vote against today's resolution simply because the political tables are now turned.  I continue to believe that Congress has investigative authority and it is clear that the administration did not provide the requested documents. As a member of the House, this left me no other alternative than to vote for the contempt resolution.  Our government is based on a system of checks and balances, and regardless of who is in the White House, I believe in the right of Congress to conduct unimpeded investigations on serious issues that arise."

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