Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to key demands from the Republican-led House Oversight Committee to testify about Jeffrey Epstein in a closed-door deposition, according to a lawyer for the couple and the top Democrat on the panel.
Why it matters: Republicans had been planning to hold a vote this week holding the two in contempt of Congress due to the impasse.
- It was not immediately clear Monday evening whether committee chair James Comer (R-Ky.) would accept the Clintons' terms and, subsequently, whether the contempt votes would still take place.
- "I will clarify the terms they are agreeing to and then discuss next steps with my committee members," Comer said in a statement.
The latest: Comer told Axios on Tuesday morning that the Clintons have until 12:00pm Tuesday to sign the terms of their transcribed deposition, or he will move forward with criminal contempt.
- Comer said the Clintons can appear any day they like in February, at any location.
- Both Clintons will have to answer questions under oath as part of the deposition.
- A person familiar also told Axios that the committee is seeking confirmation that the Clintons have agreed to transcribed, filmed depositions in February with no time limit pursuant to the committee's investigation.
What they're saying: "The Clintons had already agreed to a pretty similar agreement over the weekend, which Comer rejected," said Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.).
- "So now they're accepting a final few pieces of the terms, which is essentially to do it DC, for it to be a little longer — a few more hours, likely, than the four hours — so I think it's good," he said.
- Garcia said he wasn't sure whether Comer had accepted the offer but "there's no scenario he couldn't, they've basically accepted every single term. It would be crazy."
- Comer said: "The Clintons' counsel has said they agree to terms, but those terms lack clarity yet again and they have provided no dates for their depositions. The only reason they have said they agree to terms is because the House has moved forward with contempt."
Zoom out: The Clintons "negotiated in good faith," and "will be there," their spokesperson Angel Ureña said in a post on X.
- "They look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone," he added, referring to the fact that other witnesses sought by the panel were allowed to give written statements.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with Comer's comments on Tuesday.
