First Democratic lawmaker says Holder should be held in contempt

The first Democratic member of Congress has said that he will vote to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt for withholding documents related to the “Fast and Furious” investigation that has plagued the Justice Department, the Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, joined House Republicans on Tuesday with his announcement. Most Democratic members are expected to support Holder.

Matheson cited the death of U.S. Border Patrol agent Brian Terry, who was killed with a weapon linked to the Fast and Furious operation.

“It just compounds the tragedy when both sides play politics instead of releasing the facts. The Terry family, the public and Congress deserve answers,” Matheson said, according to the Tribune. “Sadly, it seems that it will take holding the attorney general in contempt to communicate that evasiveness is unacceptable.”

Last week, the House Oversight Committee voted the contempt measure out of the panel and to the House floor, where members are expected to vote along party lines later this week.