What is the legal and procedural basis for a congressional committee to vote to hold a witness in contempt of Congress?

Congress’s power to force testimony comes from the Constitution and was confirmed in *United States v. Sinclair* (1929). Federal law, specifically 2 U.S.C. § 192, makes it a crime to refuse to answer relevant questions during an inquiry. While the full chamber must ultimately enforce contempt, current House and Senate rules let committees initiate these proceedings. This includes the authority to vote on contempt resolutions. That vote is just a procedural step. It triggers a referral to the full chamber for final action.