Garland contempt resolution advances in GOP-led House on Wednesday, final vote coming soon

The GOP-led House of Representatives advanced a resolution holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress on Wednesday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., predicted that the resolution would ultimately pass.

"I do think the contempt of Merrick Garland will pass on the floor and we're anxious to have that happen," he said during a news conference.

The vote on the rule providing for consideration of the resolution passed along party lines 208-207.

The contempt resolution is focused on Garland's refusal to turn over an audio recording of President Biden's interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur, who investigated Biden's handling of classified documents. 

Biden has invoked executive privilege to prevent the recording release. 

Democrats argued on the House floor that the transcript of the interview is sufficient. 

If the resolution passes the initial hurdle on Wednesday morning, it moves toward a final vote expected to take place in the evening.