The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-7 along party lines on August 6, 2026, to hold former NIH Director Anthony Fauci in contempt after he appeared under subpoena on July 29, 2026, and declined to answer questions about his COVID-19 pandemic role. The committee, chaired by Sen. Rand Paul, cited Fauci's refusal to respond and his invocation of the Fifth Amendment. The action follows Fauci's 2022 retirement and occurs when he is 85 years old.