Rep. Bilirakis Statement on “Fast & Furious” Contempt Report

Washington, DC (June 11, 2012) – Today, U. S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Palm Harbor), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, issued the following statement after the House Oversight Committee announced it will consider a report holding Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for his failure to fully comply with the investigation into the "Fast & Furious" gun running scandal that has plagued the Justice Department for more than a year:

"Attorney General Holder continues to stonewall this investigation and it raises serious concerns about the kind of information he is working so defiantly to protect. Congress has given Attorney General Holder more than enough time to fully cooperate with its investigation into 'Fast & Furious,' and the public has the right to know what role this administration played in carrying out this deeply flawed gun running operation. I personally have lost all confidence and trust in Attorney General Holder and his ability to lead our Justice Department."

Bilirakis first called for Holder's resignation in December 2011 and also co-sponsored a House Resolution to express no confidence in Eric Holder's job performance as Attorney General. He has written the Justice Department several times demanding answers related to "Fast & Furious" and an additional gun-running operation called "Operation Castaway" that was based out of Tampa.