As expected, after Lerner again pleaded the Fifth before Congress in March — although that does include a small handful of Democrats breaking the party line (and on a separate resolution to request the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the IRS’s targeting of conservative groups, the vote was 250-168 with a full 26 Democrats voting in the affirmative). Via National Journal:

The House voted to hold former Internal Revenue Service official Lois Lerner in contempt on a 231-187 vote Wednesday, as Republicans work to uncover the depth of Lerner’s involvement in the agency’s targeting of conservative groups from 2010 to May 2013.

Six Democrats broke with their party to support the contempt vote: Ron Barber of Arizona, John Barrow of Georgia, Collin Peterson of Minnesota, Mike McIntyre of North Carolina, Nick Rahall of West Virginia, and Patrick Murphy of Florida. All are facing Republican challengers in tough districts for Democrats in November.

“Who’s been fired over the targeting of conservative groups by the IRS? No one that I’m aware of. Who’s gone to jail for violating the law? When is the administration going to tell the American people the truth?” House Speaker John Boehner told reporters Wednesday morning. “One would have to guess, if they’re not willing to tell the American people the truth, it must not be very pretty.”

Which means that the matter will now be referred to the Department of Justice. Which is captained by Attorney General Eric Holder. Who, by the way, is also in contempt of Congress. So… yeah. If she’s ever tried and convicted, Lerner could face fines up to $100,000 and even a up to a year of jail time, but we’ll see where that goes.

Unless President asserts exec privilege, there is no precedent for US Atty for DC to do anything but pursue this criminal case #IRStargeting

— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) May 7, 2014

Absent political interference by the Obama Admin, this legally binding action requires the DOJ to take action. #IRStargeting

— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) May 7, 2014