Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said on Friday that House Democrats are considering fines on Trump administration officials in order to enforce contempt actions.
He said Democrats could use Congress' “inherent contempt power" to try to force officials to obey subpoenas.
(MORE: Dems vote to hold AG in contempt as Trump asserts privilege over full Mueller report )“"Much as I like the visual of [throwing people in jail], I think it's far more practical to consider levying individual fines on the person — not the office — until they comply,” Schiff, a frequent target of personal attacks by President Donald Trump, told Axios' Mike Allen at a Friday morning newsmaker event. “You could fine someone $25,000 a day until they comply. You can do that. We're looking through the history and studying the law to make sure we're on solid ground."
(MORE: Rep. Adam Schiff accuses Erik Prince of lying to Congress, refers his testimony to DOJ)Congress hasn’t tried to enforce subpoenas through the “inherent contempt power” in nearly a century. However, due to the escalating tension between Congress and President Trump due to what Schiff said is the continued obstruction of Congress, he said the the House will have to “consider any remedy” to get information.
(MORE: Nancy Pelosi slams AG William Barr on testimony: 'He lied to Congress. That's a crime' )The rarely-used doctrine allows Congress, instead of going to the courts, to arrest or jail those who do not abide by subpoena requests. "Although these powers are not directly stated in the Constitution, the Supreme Court has ruled on multiple occasions that they are implicit as an essential legislative power held by Congress," according to the National Constitution Center.
(MORE: Showdown over Mueller report is a 'constitutional crisis,' Pelosi says, but resists calls to impeach Trump )Schiff also said that the House is considering having multiple committees move forward with combined contempt actions in a single vote on the House floor.