Breaking from the party line, two Michigan Republican congressmen voted Thursday with House Democrats to hold President Trump's ally Steve Bannon in contempt for defying a Congressional subpoeana from the committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Reps. Fred Upton of St. Joseph and Peter Meijer of Grand Rapids Township joined seven other GOP colleagues to help pass the contempt finding by 229-202.
Michigan's other five Republicans in the House members voted against it. All seven Michigan House Democrats vote to hold Bannon in contempt.
Holding individuals who refuse to comply with congressional subpoenas in contempt is the sole recourse available to Congress to protect its power of inquiry (McGrain v Daugherty). I voted today to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress to protect this power. (2/2)
— Rep. Peter Meijer (@RepMeijer) October 21, 2021
Upton issued a statement:
"No one is above the law. That has always been one of my guiding tenants."
The Justice Department will now determine whether to indict on a criminal charge of contempt.