Contempt “doesn’t move me one way or the other — it’s impeachment that I’m worried about because it’s the president who’s causing harm to the entire country,” said Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), the most vocal impeachment advocate in the House.

“I don’t think that history will be kind to us if this is an alternative,” he added. “We’re at a crossroads — the crossroads of accountability. Either we will hold the president accountable, or we’re going to be held accountable. And other measures are fine, as long as they’re not being done in lieu of holding the president accountable.”

Fellow impeachment supporters are sounding a similar alarm. Asked if contempt goes far enough to hold the president to account, House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) rattled off a string of at least a half-dozen “noes” on Monday.

Others piled on the following day.