Contempt of Congress: A Study of the Law and Process in Treating Contumacy Before Congressional Committees

Contempts of Congress flow directly from exercise of its inquisitory function, for not all witnesses are cooperative in appearing, testifying, and producing the books and records called for in subpoenas issued by congressional committees. The power of Congress to punish contumacy is, therefore, a corollary of the inquisitory function, being necessary in order to compel obedience to subpoenas.