WASHINGTON — (AP/CNN) - Attorney General Eric Holder says the vote finding him in contempt of Congress was a politically motivated act in an election year.
The House of Representatives voted to hold Holder in criminal contempt for refusing to turn over documents tied to the Fast and Furious gun-running sting.
The 255-67 vote marked the first time in American history that the head of the Justice Department has been held in contempt by Congress. Almost every House Republican backed the measure, along with nearly 20 Democrats. House members are also expected to pass a civil contempt measure later Thursday evening.
Holder says that Rep. Darrell Issa (EYE'-suh), who leads the House committee investigating a flawed gun-smuggling investigation, and others have focused on politics over public safety.
The attorney general says that when concerns about Operation Fast and Furious first came to light, he took action and ordered an independent investigation into what happened.
That probe by the Justice Department's inspector general is under way.
Holder blames Issa and his supporters for the dispute that led to the contempt vote.
Issa subpoenaed documents and the attorney general says he made an offer to settle the dispute that Issa rebuffed.
