Providing for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 979) recommending that the House of Representatives find Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten, Chief of Staff, White House, in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with subpoenas duly issued by the Committee on the Judiciary and for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 980) authorizing the Committee on the Judiciary to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas.

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 81 · Passed House without amendment · Feb 14, 2008

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Adopts H.Res. 979 (contempt citations against Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten for refusing to comply with subpoenas related to the firing of certain U.S. Attorneys) and H.Res. 980 (enforcement of such subpoenas).

Read the summary on Congress.gov

PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [D-NY-28] · D–NY

Committees

Rules Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Feb 14, 2008
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 14, 2008
On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 223 - 32, 1 Present (Roll no. 60). (text: CR H948)
House roll call 60 · Individual votes
Feb 14, 2008
Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 223 - 32, 1 Present (Roll no. 60).(text: CR H948)
House roll call 60 · Individual votes
Feb 14, 2008
The previous question was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H961)
Feb 14, 2008
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 982.
Feb 14, 2008
Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H948-958, H959-962)
Feb 13, 2008
Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 188.
Feb 13, 2008
Upon the adoption of H.Res. 982, H.Res. 979 and H.Res. 980 are hereby adopted.
Feb 13, 2008
The House Committee on Rules reported an original measure, H. Rept. 110-526, by Ms. Slaughter.
Feb 13, 2008
The House Committee on Rules reported an original measure, H. Rept. 110-526, by Ms. Slaughter.
Feb 13, 2008
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Engrossed in House · Feb 14, 2008 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
Reported in House · Feb 13, 2008 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.982 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.982, 110th Congress: Providing for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 979) recommending that the House of Representatives find Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten, Chief of Staff, White House, in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with subpoenas duly issued by the Committee on the Judiciary and for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 980) authorizing the Committee on the Judiciary to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-resolution/982

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 2008-02-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hres982/BILLS-110hres982eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:37:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.Res.982 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Res.982 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.982, 110th Congress: Providing for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 979) recommending that the House of Representatives find Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten, Chief of Staff, White House, in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with subpoenas duly issued by the Committee on the Judiciary and for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 980) authorizing the Committee on the Judiciary to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-resolution/982

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 2008-02-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hres982/BILLS-110hres982eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:37:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.982 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Res.982 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.982, 110th Congress: Providing for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 979) recommending that the House of Representatives find Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten, Chief of Staff, White House, in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with subpoenas duly issued by the Committee on the Judiciary and for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 980) authorizing the Committee on the Judiciary to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-resolution/982

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 2008-02-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hres982/BILLS-110hres982eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:37:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.982 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Res.982 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.982, 110th Congress: Providing for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 979) recommending that the House of Representatives find Harriet Miers and Joshua Bolten, Chief of Staff, White House, in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with subpoenas duly issued by the Committee on the Judiciary and for the adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 980) authorizing the Committee on the Judiciary to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings to enforce certain subpoenas.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-resolution/982

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 2008-02-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hres982/BILLS-110hres982eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:37:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.982 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.