“The Department of Justice has a duty to act on this referral and others that we have sent,” said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). “Without enforcement of congressional subpoenas, there is no oversight, and without oversight, no accountability — for the former president, or any other president, past, present, or future. Without enforcement of its lawful process, Congress ceases to be a co-equal branch of government.”

Schiff’s comments were echoed by several other members of the panel and reflected a veiled frustration about the department’s silence on Meadows, whom the House voted to hold in contempt in December. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said the Justice Department should “not apply any doctrine of immunity that might block Congress from fully uncovering and addressing the causes of the January 6th attack.” Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) said that the select committee was doing its job and that “the Department of Justice needs to do theirs.”

“Attorney General Garland, do your job so we can do ours,” said Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.).