U.S. Senator Rand Paul said he would refer Dr. Anthony Fauci to the Justice Department on Thursday after a panel he chairs voted to hold him in contempt of Congress, CNN reported.

The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved a referral pushed by Paul, a longtime Fauci antagonist, on a party-line vote, with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed, after the former top U.S. infectious disease official refused to answer questions last week about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have voted the majority to refer this, so that will be accomplished today, CNN quoted Paul as telling reporters.

(Reporting by Ahmed AbouleneinEditing by Nick Zieminski)