Shuler on contempt vote: “dysfunction and partisanship rule the day”

Full announcement from Rep. Heath Shuler:

Washington, DC — Today U.S. Representative Heath Shuler (D-NC) released the following statement in advance of the vote to hold Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. in contempt of Congress:

“Today the House of Representatives proved once again that dysfunction and partisanship rule the day. The vote to hold Attorney General Holder in Contempt of Congress after the Department of Justice released the requested information demonstrates that Congress has lost touch. While I strongly believe that the Department of Justice should fully cooperate with Congress to ensure transparency in the “Fast and Furious” operation, this motion lacks an enforcement mechanism to make it anything more than politically motivated. Further, I am disappointed that though an agreement could have been reached, the Majority has opted to use this vote as a fundraising mechanism to rally the base. It is no wonder I have opted to retire.”