Contempt of Congress refers to the misdemeanor act of obstructing the work of the United States Congress or one of its committees. This typically involves refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena, such as refusing to testify or to produce requested documents during an investigation or inquiry

. Congress’s contempt power is an implied authority necessary to carry out its legislative duties effectively, even though it is not explicitly stated in the Constitution. It allows Congress to respond to actions that interfere with its investigations or legislative process

. There are three main ways Congress can enforce a contempt citation:

• Inherent contempt: Congress itself can arrest and detain the individual, hold a trial before the chamber, and impose punishment such as imprisonment. This method has rarely been used since the 1930s due to its time-consuming nature

• Criminal contempt: Congress can refer the matter to the Department of Justice for prosecution under federal law (Title 2, Section 192 of the U.S. Code). Conviction can lead to fines up to $100,000 and imprisonment from one to twelve months. However, prosecution depends on the DOJ’s willingness to pursue the case

• Civil contempt: Congress can file a civil lawsuit to enforce compliance with subpoenas if criminal prosecution is declined. Courts then decide whether the individual must comply

In summary, contempt of Congress means willfully obstructing Congress’s work, usually by ignoring subpoenas, and it can lead to legal penalties or political consequences depending on the enforcement path taken